The Alaska Legislature recently sent a strong and unified message to Washington, D.C.: Don’t let enhanced premium tax credits expire. These credits, expanded through pandemic-era relief efforts and extended under the Inflation Reduction Act, have helped make health insurance more affordable for thousands of Alaskans. Without congressional action, they will expire at the end of the year, putting access to care and financial security at risk for many families across our state.
At Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, we see the real-world impact of these subsidies every day. They’ve helped small-business owners, independent workers, caregivers, and rural Alaskans afford health coverage for the first time. For a state with some of the highest health care costs in the country, this support isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
We support the Alaska Legislature’s recent resolution urging Congress to extend these enhanced subsidies. It’s a rare and welcome moment of bipartisan consensus in Juneau, because lawmakers understand what’s at stake. If Congress doesn’t act, more than 23,000 Alaskans could see their premiums rise, sometimes doubling, tripling, or worse. Some could see increases up to fivefold, according to Rep. Genevieve Mina, citing state estimates. That would be devastating.
Without these tax credits, many Alaskans will be forced to choose between health insurance and other necessities like housing, food, or fuel. Others may go without coverage altogether. The result? Delayed care, worse health outcomes, and more financial stress, particularly for rural and underserved communities that already face barriers to care.
The expiration of these subsidies would also shift costs in the wrong direction. More uninsured Alaskans means greater reliance on emergency rooms, more uncompensated care, and increased strain on providers and hospitals already under pressure. Let’s not let that happen to our neighbors and loved ones.
At Premera, we are committed to improving access to affordable, quality care for all Alaskans. That means advocating for policies that put people first, especially those that help reduce the cost of coverage while improving long-term health outcomes. The enhanced premium tax credits do exactly that. They are working, and they should be extended.
We are especially grateful to state Rep. Mina and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski for their excellent leadership on this issue. Their advocacy reflects a deep understanding of the real challenges Alaskans face and a commitment to practical, bipartisan solutions.
This is not a partisan issue. It’s a pocketbook issue. It’s a public health issue. And for Alaska’s families, it’s a matter of stability and peace of mind.
We urge Alaska’s congressional delegation to lead the charge and fight for an extension of the enhanced premium tax credits.
Our communities are counting on it.
Kristin Meadows is general manager and vice president of the individual market for Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. The company and its predecessors have operated in Alaska since 1952.
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