Sen. Murray Urges GOP to Extend ACA Tax Credits, Curb Health Costs
TL/DR –
U.S. Senator Patty Murray is fighting to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire soon. If the credits are not extended, over 22 million Americans, including 216,000 in Washington state, will see their healthcare costs skyrocket, with some premiums more than doubling. Murray has repeatedly called on Republicans to work with Democrats to extend the tax credits and to prevent a surge in healthcare premiums; however, no action has been taken thus far.
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U.S. Senator Patty Murray Urges Extension of ACA Tax Credits in Virtual Press Conference
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, hosted a virtual press conference addressing the impending expiration of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. Also present were Ingrid Ulrey, CEO of the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange, and Lisa, a Washington resident currently grappling with increasing healthcare premiums due to the impending expiration of the ACA credits.
Murray expressed her concerns about the potential financial burden on Washingtonians should the ACA tax credits expire. Due to the refusal among Republicans to extend these credits, over 22 million Americans, including more than 216,000 in Washington State, are predicted to see a drastic increase in healthcare costs next year. In particular, premiums for those purchasing insurance via the ACA Marketplace (Washington Healthplanfinder in Washington state) are expected to more than double, potentially leading to 4.8 million people losing their health insurance over the next decade. Murray highlighted the urgent need for a clean three-year extension of the credits through a vote taking place this week.
During the conference, Senator Murray stated, “I’ve heard from families across the country who are staring down unthinkable health care hikes. The MAGA health care hike is a reality that millions of families are facing in this country right now. And unless we take action—decisive, quick action this week—to stop it, higher premium costs for millions of American families will be getting locked in for good.”
Murray played a significant role in the enactment of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and their extension in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. However, her repeated calls for Republicans to prolong these credits have been in vain despite the looming “tax credit cliff.”
Ulrey echoed Murray’s sentiments, expressing her concern for citizens facing significant insurance cost increases. She said, “Our average customer coming in who will no longer be eligible in that income bracket, the increase will be up to $800 a month, is what they’ll be seeing versus last year, a policy that cost $450 a month.”
Lisa, a resident of King County, Washington, shared her personal experience, “When I went on Washington Healthplanfinder to get insurance for 2026, I found that the premium for continuing my current plan is now over $1,600 a month. That is an increase of nearly $9,000 for the calendar year […] this is my story. I expect every member of Congress is hearing similar stories.”
Despite the urgent need for an extension of the ACA tax credits, Republicans have resisted negotiations. In response, Senator Murray has consistently spoken on the Senate floor, held virtual press conferences, and collaborated with residents of neighboring states to bring attention to the issue.
For more details on Senator Murray’s efforts to extend the ACA tax credits, refer to this timeline HERE.
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