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Update – August 2025: Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits (ePTCs) still expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts. In 2025, Georgia Access enrolled over 1.5 million Georgians, 93% of whom depend on these subsidies to make health coverage affordable. Without an extension, premiums in Georgia are projected to jump over 75% on average, and most 2026 insurer filings already assume the credits will lapse. A typical example: a 60-year-old couple earning about $85,000 would pay roughly $18,000 more per year if the ePTCs disappear. The premium increases resulting from the expiration of the ePTCs could cause about 340,000 more Georgians to become uninsured. In short: swift Congressional action to extend the ePTCs—ideally before rate finalization—would prevent sharp premium spikes for Georgia families and avert significant coverage losses. 

See how costs could rise in your Congressional district or use the calculator to estimate cost increases based on your income information — then contact your members of Congress today and tell them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits to keep health care affordable for Georgia families.

If you or someone you know gets health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ve probably noticed it’s been more affordable in recent years. This increase in affordability is thanks to extra financial help from the federal government. These enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) make health coverage affordable for working families, self-employed individuals, and people who would otherwise struggle to pay for insurance. But this critical financial help is set to expire at the end of 2025—unless Congress steps in.

If Congress doesn’t extend these tax credits, over 1.2 million Georgians will see huge price increases, and many may be forced to drop their coverage altogether.

Why These Tax Credits Matter to Georgians

Right now, 95% of Georgians buying health insurance through Georgia Access receive financial help to lower the cost of their monthly premium. In 2021 and again in 2022, Congress established additional financial support through the ePTCs to further reduce costs. This extra support has made a big difference:

• Lower monthly premiums – The tax credits reduce the amount people pay for their health insurance each month.

• Lower deductibles – Many Georgians have seen their deductibles cut in half, meaning they pay less before their insurance kicks in.

• Protection from medical debt – More affordable coverage makes Georgians less likely to face overwhelming medical bills.

What Happens if Congress Doesn’t Act?

If these tax credits disappear, health insurance will become unaffordable for many Georgians. Here’s what that could look like:

• Higher costs for families – A single person making $30,000 a year could see their premiums jump by $1,350 per year. A retired couple in their 60s making $80,000 could see an increase of $16,800 annually.

• Fewer people with coverage – With such large price hikes, many Georgians may be forced to drop their insurance altogether, putting their health and finances at risk.

• Higher costs for everyone – When more people lose coverage, hospitals and doctors are left with unpaid bills. This can lead to higher costs for everyone, as hospitals pass those costs along to insured patients and taxpayers.

What Can Georgia Leaders Do?

While the decision to extend these tax credits is up to Congress, Georgia lawmakers (and you!) can take action to help protect Georgians:

• Push Georgia’s Congressional Representatives to act – Our state’s leaders should urge Congress to extend these tax credits and protect Georgia families from skyrocketing costs.
  • You can also urge your Congressperson to act! See the “Take Action” section below!
• Explore state-level solutions – Some states are creating their own tax credits to keep coverage affordable. Georgia could do the same, especially for middle-income families and those in high-cost areas.
• Help Georgians navigate their options – If tax credits expire, many people will need help understanding their choices. Georgia could expand outreach efforts and local support so that more residents can find coverage they can afford.

Real Impact: Cassie’s Story

For many Georgians, the ePTCs are life changing. Cassie Cox, a Georgia resident, was able to sign up for Marketplace coverage with no monthly premium because of these subsidies. When she needed emergency medical care, her insurance helped cover the cost. Without it, she could have faced a massive medical bill.

Her story is just one example of why these tax credits are so important. If Congress doesn’t act, thousands of Georgians like Cassie could lose their coverage or face financial hardship.

Take Action

Georgians for a Healthy Future will continue to monitor changes to Georgia Access and other health coverage programs. We urge all Georgians to stay informed and speak out — contact your members of Congress and urge them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits before the end of the year to prevent devastating premium hikes and coverage losses.