30+ patient groups warn: Catastrophic coverage losses without Congressional action

Today 33 non-partisan, non-profit patient advocacy organizations issued the following statement in response to Congress’s failure to renew the expiring enhanced premium tax credits (eAPTCs) before insurance companies issued their premium increase notices for the 2026 plan year. Congressional Budget Office estimates suggest that 1.5 million people will lose health coverage if Congress delays acting until December. 

“Millions of Americans will begin to see—and feel—the potential repercussions of Congressional inaction—as insurance companies begin to issue premium notices this month that, on average, will increase by 114%. Healthcare that people have come to count on as affordable will suddenly feel out of reach."

“The Partnership to Protect Coverage has repeatedly called on Congress to act swiftly to reauthorize the enhanced advanced premium tax credits that are not only essential to the stability of the market, but also ensure patients can access timely, affordable care.” 

“The stakes are enormous: small business owners, farmers, early retirees and—critically—patients living with serious health conditions all stand to lose. Without a clean extension of these tax credits, patients and consumers will pay a price they cannot afford: being uninsured.” 

“This is not an ‘end-of-year’ problem as open enrollment begins on November 1 with higher rates. With every day that goes by, more Americans will make the gut-wrenching choice to forego health insurance because their premiums are skyrocketing. At this point, only Congress can remedy this problem—and expediency matters.“ 

“Congress must not fail patients twice. It’s already too late; don’t let it be too little. Patients and families need certainty, stability and protection from devastating increases in healthcare costs. And they need it yesterday.” 

AiArthritis 
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 
American Kidney Fund 
American Lung Association 
Arthritis Foundation 
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 
Blood Cancer United 
Cancer Nation (formerly National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship) 
Cancer Support Community 
CancerCare 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 
Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition 
Epilepsy Foundation of America 
Hemophilia Federation of America 
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association 
Immune Deficiency Foundation 
Lupus Foundation of America 
Lutheran Services in America 
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 Patient Advocate Foundation 
National Psoriasis Foundation 
Pulmonary Hypertension Association 
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. 
The AIDS Institute 
UsAgainstAlzheimer's 
WomenHeart 
ZERO Prostate Cancer