The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) sent a letter to leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate calling for immediate legislative action to extend the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which are otherwise set to expire at the end of 2025. With health insurers having already filed initial 2026 rates, the NAIC warned that without an extension in September, insurers and marketplaces will begin notifying more than 20 million consumers across all 50 states of major premium increases within weeks. The letter highlighted impacts on state individual market stability and affordability, including consumers paying hundreds more per month and the risk that coverage becomes unaffordable for millions, particularly those earning under 250% of the federal poverty level. The NAIC also pointed to broader market effects such as shrinking risk pools as healthier 18–34 year-olds drop coverage, reduced funding for state reinsurance programs operating under Section 1332 waivers, and potential insurer exits. The NAIC urged Congress to act before insurers finalize rates for the 2026 plan year and ahead of the Nov. 1 Open Enrollment Period; it noted this is the fourth NAIC letter to Congress on the issue since July 2024.

Original source View in tracker