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Congressman Josh Riley, representing New York's 19th District, is advocating for a bipartisan effort to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for two more years. These subsidies, known as enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs), are crucial for keeping health insurance affordable for millions of Americans. Without action, these subsidies will expire on December 31, 2025, potentially causing significant premium increases and loss of coverage for many families.
The proposal, called CommonGround2025, aims to prevent these negative outcomes by extending the subsidies and maintaining open enrollment through March 19, 2026. Riley emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, "It's a straightforward, bipartisan plan to restore affordable healthcare." He urged Speaker Johnson to bring the proposal to a vote before the December recess to provide families with certainty about their healthcare coverage in the new year.
The expiration of these subsidies could severely impact New York's Essential Plan, which offers no-cost coverage to low- and middle-income residents. According to InsuranceNewsNet, the loss of federal funding could push hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers off the program and result in premium hikes exceeding $10,000 annually for some families.
Despite Riley's efforts, The Washington Post reports that Congress faces challenges in reaching a bipartisan agreement due to narrow margins and partisan divisions. With the deadline approaching, the future of ACA subsidies remains uncertain, and many households may face increased insurance costs next year.