By Capital Blue Cross
With a new presidential administration and new Congress in place, there is an important task that needs to be at the top of Washington’s to-do list: extending the federal health coverage tax credits upon which many Pennsylvanians rely.
These tax credits, which have been in place since 2021 and are set to expire at the end of 2025, can be a literal lifeline to ensure hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, including the self-employed and small business owners, can afford the care that keeps them and their families healthy. The tax credits are used by income-eligible individuals and families to lower their monthly health insurance premiums.
If these critical tax credits are not renewed this year, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Pennsylvanians will be hit with significant health insurance premium increases in 2026, putting affordable care out of reach and potentially having dire effects on public health.
It’s an issue that impacts all of us because when those in need of care cannot readily access or afford that care, it can negatively impact employment opportunities, on-the-job productivity, school attendance, and a host of other day-to-day activities. Those challenges can have a ripple effect that puts a burden on families, co-workers, and communities.
Those without insurance often forego routine doctor visits and important preventive health screenings, which can lead to more severe – and more costly – medical issues. People with chronic conditions who lack health coverage might stop taking essential medications or miss necessary treatments, with potentially devastating results.
Capital Blue Cross is continually doing our part to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare. We work with hospitals and health systems to negotiate the lowest rates possible, find innovative ways to save our members money on prescription drugs and specialized care, and take an active role in ensuring our members pursue the preventive care they need. But healthcare is a collaborative effort, and Congress needs to help us ensure coverage is affordable.
Of the nearly half a million Pennsylvanians enrolled through Pennie — the commonwealth’s health insurance exchange – about 3 in 4 have benefitted from significantly lower premiums thanks to these health coverage tax credits, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Capital Blue Cross provides about 50,000 Pennsylvanians with coverage through Pennie, 78 percent of whom rely on a tax credit to make their coverage more affordable.
If the tax credits are allowed to expire, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys predicts Pennie customers could see an average premium increase of 81 percent. A family of four could be hit with premium increases of about $4,000 per year, and some income and age brackets could see premiums increase by four to five times the current cost. This could be a catastrophic financial burden for many if Congress fails to act.
At a time when many working families already are facing increasing costs for essentials like groceries, housing, and utilities, piling on additional costs for healthcare could be a devastating financial burden.
Fortunately, it is an avoidable burden if Congress prioritizes the healthcare needs of its most vulnerable constituents and extends health coverage tax credits into 2026 and beyond.
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