Thirty-seven nonpartisan, nonprofit patient organizations have released a joint statement expressing concern over Congress's failure to renew the enhanced premium tax credits (eAPTCs) ahead of the 2026 health insurance open enrollment period, which begins November 1 in most states.
The statement warns that millions of Americans who depend on eAPTCs will face significantly higher insurance premiums when attempting to enroll for coverage in 2026. The groups highlight that this situation will be particularly difficult for small business owners, farmers, early retirees, and individuals with serious health conditions.
“Tomorrow, millions of Americans who rely on eAPTCs to access high-quality insurance will be met with sticker shock when they log on to sign up for their 2026 plan year. The stakes are especially real for small business owners, farmers, early retirees and patients living with serious health conditions who will face premiums that are now out of reach.
“This is not hyperbole: Congressional Budget Office estimates suggest that 1.5 million people will lose health coverage if Congress delays acting until December. Patients and families simply cannot afford to pay for Congress’s failure to act—or for their delays.
“The Partnership to Protect Coverage has repeatedly called on Congress to renew eAPTCs, and the consequences of Congressional inaction are now dire. We know that access to healthcare remains among the most pressing concerns for the people we represent, especially as cost of living continues to increase. Many will be forced to choose between maintaining their coverage and meeting other basic needs like housing, food, or utilities. This will be a devastating and entirely preventable blow to the health and financial well-being of the communities we serve.
“Millions of Americans—including patients with pre-existing conditions, like the groups we represent— rely on the Affordable Care Act marketplace and eAPTCs for high-quality, affordable healthcare. If young healthy enrollees aren’t able to afford their premiums, the Marketplace will become unbalanced. A risk pool full of only the sickest Americans will only cause premiums to further spiral out of control.
“Ensuring access to health insurance is a nonpartisan issue—one that affects individuals and families in every state and district across the country. Today with one voice, we urge Congress to extend eAPTCs. Americans can’t afford more delays.”
The organizations emphasize that without action from Congress before open enrollment begins, an estimated 1.5 million people could lose their health coverage if renewal is delayed until December—a projection based on data from the Congressional Budget Office.
The coalition includes national groups such as AiArthritis, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, Autoimmune Association, Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), Cancer Nation, Cancer Support Community, CancerCare, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Hemophilia Federation of America, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, Immune Deficiency Foundation, Legal Action Center, Lupus Foundation of America Lutheran Services in America (sic), March of Dimes; Muscular Dystrophy Association; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Bleeding Disorders Foundation; National Health Council; National Kidney Foundation; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Organization for Rare Disorders; National Patient Advocate Foundation; Pulmonary Hypertension Association; Susan G. Komen; The AIDS Institute; The Coalition for Hemophilia B; UsAgainstAlzheimer's; WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; ZERO Prostate Cancer.
These organizations argue that maintaining access to affordable healthcare through eAPTCs is critical as costs continue rising nationwide.
