Rep. Scholten, Members of Lowering Costs Caucus Call On Speaker Johnson To Extend ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Hillary Scholten is leading eight members of the Lowering Costs Caucus in calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year. If Congress fails to take action, premiums on the Marketplace will on average double next year and Marketplace enrollment may decline by as much as 50%. As Americans continue to face staggering costs on everything from beef to coffee to cars, this is an unacceptable outcome. 

The letter to Speaker Johnson was signed by Reps. Derek Tran (D-CA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Haley Stevens (D-MI). 

“As Congress reconvenes after the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, we urge you to work with Democratic leadership and members of the Lowering Costs Caucus to ensure Americans are not priced out of the health care they need and deserve. If Congress fails to take action before January 1st, 2026, these enhanced tax credits will expire with no mechanism to replace them. This outcome is unacceptable,” wrote the members.

“The cost of owning a home, buying a car, and paying for college has also increased – meaning families are being squeezed for every penny they have,” they continued. “More than 24 million people rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to obtain the health care they need…We are committed to working with House Leadership to ensure that Congress protects American families, starting with safeguarding their access to quality, affordable health care.”

The full text of the letter is available below: 

Dear Speaker Johnson,

We write to express our deep concerns with the upcoming expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, which threatens the health of millions of Americans. As Congress reconvenes after the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, we urge you to work with Democratic leadership and members of the Lowering Costs Caucus to ensure Americans are not priced out of the health care they need and deserve. If Congress fails to take action before January 1st, 2026, these enhanced tax credits will expire with no mechanism to replace them. This outcome is unacceptable. According to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, premiums on the Marketplace would more than double on average next year without enhanced tax credits. This is an unsustainable price hike for millions of households, and will cause marketplace enrollment to decline by as much as 50 percent.

At a time when costs are already rising across the board for families, allowing health care premiums to double would force many Americans to make difficult financial choices to stay afloat. Families are still facing high costs at the grocery store, where the cost of beef rose by 1.2 percent in September alone – up by a staggering 14.7 percent from 2024. The cost of lunch meats also increased by 4.2 percent in September, while the price of coffee has spiked by 18.9 percent overall in 2025.2 Moreover, the cost of owning a home, buying a car, and paying for college has also increased – meaning families are being squeezed for every penny they have. More than 24 million people rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to obtain the health care they need. 

Allowing these tax credits to expire would jeopardize the health and well-being of our constituents and neighbors. We are disappointed that the critical extension of these enhanced tax credits was not included in the final passage of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5371, to reopen our government. With inflation on the rise and tariffs boosting the cost of everyday goods, it is all the more important that Congress extends these credits to ensure families can go into the new year with affordable health care coverage.

We are committed to working with House Leadership to ensure that Congress protects American families, starting with safeguarding their access to quality, affordable health care.

Sincerely,