Overview

• Democrats are tying government funding to renewing enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, while Republican leaders resist immediate action and say the year‑end deadline allows more time.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson called the Dec. 31 cutoff "an eternity" away, and Rep. Chip Roy urged Republicans not to extend the pandemic‑era subsidies.
• Analyses reported by KFF Health News and others warn average marketplace costs could more than double without the credits, prompting coverage losses as insurers post 2026 rates and some exchanges delay renewal notices.
• State and provider leaders warn of systemwide strain, with Colorado’s exchange forecasting consumer shock from renewal letters and Arizona physicians citing potential premium spikes up to 55% and rising uncompensated care.
• A KFF poll finds roughly three in four adults support extending the credits, and CBO/JCT estimate a permanent extension would increase coverage by millions, slightly lower 2026 premiums versus baseline, and raise deficits over a decade.