Several Republicans on Sept. 4 joined a bipartisan coalition to propose legislation that aims to help prevent millions of Americans from losing health insurance coverage when temporary federal subsidies expire at the end of the year.
“While the enhanced premium tax credit created during the pandemic was meant to be temporary, we should not let it expire without a plan in place,” said U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), who sponsored the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act, H.R. 5145. “My legislation will protect hard-working Virginians from facing health insurance bills they can’t afford, thus losing much-needed access to care.”
The congresswoman introduced H.R. 5145 alongside 14 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Young Kim (R-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).
If enacted, H.R. 5145 would amend current law to extend the enhanced premium tax credit for one year, according to the text of the bill.
Under current law, the income-based premium tax credit, established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and expanded during COVID under the American Rescue Plan Act and later extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, is set to expire at the end of 2025.
“In 2024 alone, more than 33,000 constituents in Virginia’s Second District relied on this tax credit to make their monthly health insurance premiums more affordable,” Rep. Kiggans said. “If Congress fails to act, those same Virginians will soon face shocking cost increases that could put essential health care coverage out of reach.
“We can’t pull the rug out from under hardworking families — we must give Americans more time to plan,” she added.
Rep. Fitzpatrick pointed out that while the nation doesn’t need permanent pandemic-era policy, it does need a responsible off-ramp.
“Letting these subsidies expire without a plan would put health coverage out of reach for millions of families in my community and across the country,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan, targeted extension will prevent disruption, protect access, and give Congress the time needed to deliver real, lasting reform.”
He also called H.R. 5145 “a necessary step” that would ensure families aren’t priced out while lawmakers build “a smarter, more sustainable system.”
“People in Northeastern Pennsylvania utilize these tax credits for their healthcare coverage,” added Rep. Bresnahan. “Pulling the rug out abruptly could create disruption and hardship. As Congress works toward broader reforms and long-term improvements to our healthcare system, we must look out for our most vulnerable.”
Rep. Valadao also noted that many families across his home state of California are already struggling with healthcare costs, and the last thing they need is a sudden spike in their health insurance premiums.
“By introducing a clean, one-year extension for the enhanced premium tax credit,” he said, “we can protect families from these higher costs while Congress works toward a more permanent solution.”
Also representing California, Rep. Kim agreed, saying that many in her district rely on healthcare premium tax credits to care for their loved ones and keep insurance affordable.
“The Bipartisan Premium Tax Credits Extension Act is critical to ensuring that working-class Californians and the most vulnerable in our community can access essential healthcare coverage as Congress works towards a responsible, long-term solution,” she said.