18 Governors Urge Congress to extend enhanced ACA tax credits

The governors of 18 states (all of whom are Democrats) have submitted the following letter to all four Congressional leaders:

Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Leader Thune, and Leader Schumer,

We urge you to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. For millions of hard-working Americans, these subsidies are the only reason health insurance is still within reach in a country where the cost of living keeps going up.

If they expire, premiums will rise by thousands of dollars for many families, millions will lose coverage, and people will be forced to make impossible choices between paying for healthcare, rent, or groceries. Hard-working American families, older Americans not yet on Medicare, small business owners, and rural communities—where marketplace coverage is often the only option—will be hit the hardest.

The timing couldn’t be more urgent. Insurers are already setting 2026 rates. If Congress acts quickly, states can lock in lower premiums and spare families a wave of sticker shock this fall. If not, the damage will be felt for years.

This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about protecting working people who are doing everything right but still struggling to get by. Extending these tax credits is one of the simplest, most effective steps Congress can take to keep healthcare affordable and provide real stability for millions of families.

Sincerely,

Governor Matt Meyer
State of Delaware

Governor Gavin Newsom
State of California

Governor Jared Polis
State of Colorado

Governor Ned Lamont
State of Connecticut

Governor JB Pritzker
State of Illinois

Governor Andy Beshear
State of Kentucky

Governor Wes Moore
State of Maryland

Governor Maura Healey
State of Massachusetts

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
State of Michigan

Governor Tim Walz
State of Minnesota

Governor Phil Murphy
State of New Jersey

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
State of New Mexico

Governor Kathy Hochul
State of New York

Governor Josh Stein
State of North Carolina

Governor Tina Kotek
State of Oregon

Governor Dan McKee
State of Rhode Island

Governor Bob Ferguson
State of Washington

Governor Tony Evers
State of Wisconsin