Written by Liz Schenkel, External Affairs Manager
ACA Marketplace insurance allows individuals and families without access to other affordable, comprehensive health insurance to obtain coverage for themselves and their families. To make monthly premiums more affordable, advance premium tax credits (APTCs) ensure that people at or below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) don’t have to pay more than a set percentage of their income toward health insurance premiums. During the pandemic, Congress passed legislation that enhanced APTCs to help even more, lowering the cost of monthly premiums for individuals and families. Now, these enhancements are set to expire at the end of the year, meaning folks who get their insurance through the Marketplace will pay significantly more in monthly premiums.
In North Dakota, premiums are expected to rise by 91% and cause 7,000 people to become uninsured. In South Dakota, premiums are expected to rise by 116% and cause 8,000 people to become uninsured. For the 15,000+ Dakotans priced out of health insurance, that means facing crippling medical debt if an emergency arises, which negatively impacts the bottom line of providers and medical facilities and makes the insurance risk pool more volatile, resulting in higher costs for all. Capital Link’s latest projections estimate community health centers in South Dakota and North Dakota will experience a combined revenue loss of nearly $120 million between 2026 – 2029, without an extension of APTC enhancements.
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, Jon Godfread, who also serves as the President of the National Insurance Commissioner’s Association, has shared the importance of extending PTC enhancements before November, noting that sticker shock will drive down enrollment if an extension doesn’t happen until after most consumers have reviewed their Marketplace plan options and prices.
In an effort to prevent the expiration of APTC enhancements, many health organizations across the country, and a bipartisan group of congress members, are advocating for an extension. This week, Community Catalyst and Families USA are hosting a week of action to advocate for congress to make APTC enhancements permanent.
You can sign and share an action alert, call your members of Congress, or post on your personal social media account (toolkit here). Decide how you want to engage and use the links below!
- SEIU Call-In Line: 877-851-2521 | Script
