10 States Face Sharpest Health Insurance Premium Hikes If Tax Credits End
SOUTH DAKOTA — A new analysis highlights that families in 10 U.S. states could face staggering increases in health insurance premiums if federal tax credits under the Affordable Care Act expire — a scenario that would hit lower- and middle-income households hardest.
According to the report, if Republicans in Congress block renewal of the expanded premium tax credits, families in certain states would see their monthly costs surge by more than 200% to nearly 400%.
States Facing the Sharpest Increases
The data, shared by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), shows the following projected premium hikes for families losing tax credits:
- West Virginia — 387%
- Wyoming — 382%
- Alaska — 346%
- Tennessee — 320%
- Mississippi — 314%
- Texas — 289%
- South Carolina — 285%
- Alabama — 284%
- South Dakota — 235%
- North Dakota — 234%
Senator Murray questioned whether lawmakers representing these states are fully aware of the potential financial shock their constituents could face. “Do their Senators know?” she asked while speaking on the Senate floor, warning that millions could lose coverage or face unaffordable costs if action is not taken.
Impact on Working Families
The federal premium tax credits — expanded under pandemic-era legislation — helped millions of Americans offset the cost of health coverage purchased through state and federal insurance marketplaces. If those credits expire, families in rural and low-income states would be among the hardest hit, as they already face higher average premiums and fewer insurer options.
Analysts estimate that without the credits, some families could see their monthly premiums triple or quadruple, forcing many to drop coverage entirely.
Political Divide and Policy Uncertainty
Renewing the tax credits has become a flashpoint in ongoing budget negotiations. Democratic lawmakers argue that extending the credits is essential to prevent a health care crisis, while Republican leaders contend that the program’s cost is unsustainable without offsetting spending cuts.
Senator Murray emphasized that these figures aren’t abstract policy debates — they reflect “real families who will lose real coverage.” She urged bipartisan cooperation to prevent what she called a “catastrophic rollback of health care access” in states already struggling with high uninsured rates.
Looking Ahead
Congress faces a deadline later this year to extend the premium subsidies. Without legislative action, the credits will expire, and new rates reflecting these increases could take effect as early as January 2026.
For more updates on healthcare policy, family finance, and government action affecting taxpayers, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
Author: Harper Langley Category: Finance
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