Updated April 2026: The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Have Expired

Congress did not act to extend the enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) before they expired on December 31, 2025. The impact on Georgia families is already taking shape:

• Enrollment is down. Initial 2026 plan year data shows Georgia Access enrollment dropped by roughly 200,000 people compared to 2025, a 14% decrease.
• Premiums have surged. For Georgians who kept their coverage, out-of-pocket premium costs rose by an average of 114%, with the average net monthly premium roughly doubling from $69 to $148.
• More coverage losses are projected. An estimated 460,000 Georgians are expected to lose Georgia Access coverage and become uninsured between 2025 and 2034 because of the ePTC expiration combined with new restrictions in the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1).
• Georgia’s health care system will feel it. Health care providers are projected to lose $25 billion in revenue over that same period, deepening strain on rural hospitals and communities already facing provider shortages.

Georgia is not without options. State leaders can act to soften these impacts through targeted premium assistance, reinsurance program adjustments, cost-sharing support, stronger consumer assistance, and special enrollment flexibilities.

Our new policy brief, The Road Ahead for Georgia Access: Navigating the End of Enhanced Subsidies and the Impacts of Federal Policy Shifts, lays out what is happening, who is most affected, and the policy tools available to Georgia leaders right now.

▶ Read the full policy brief

Note: The blog content below was written before the enhanced premium tax credits expired. For the most current information and analysis, please refer to the policy brief linked above.

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.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 11

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with just a few days left until Sine Die (the last day of the session) on Friday, April 4th. Lawmakers are racing to finalize key bills and the state budget—and there’s still time for you to speak up.

Things can move quickly in these final days, and last-minute advocacy opportunities may arise. Stay connected with us on social media throughout the week so you don’t miss a chance to take action when it matters most.

After the session ends, we’ll share a full recap, including updates on health care bills that passed (or didn’t), what it all means for Georgians, and any health-related study committees that will convene before next year’s session. In the meantime, you can check out our bill tracker to follow the legislation we’re monitoring as we get closer to Sine Die.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 10

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with two weeks left until session ends on April 4th. With only a few legislative days left, lawmakers are working quickly to finalize key bills and the state budget. You can view the legislative schedule here. 

Ending the Practice of Subminimum Wage in Georgia

Last week, the House passed Senate Bill 55, the Dignity and Pay Act. The bill now heads to the Governor for final approval. SB 55 phases out the use of 14(c) certificates in Georgia to pay subminimum wages (below the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr) to workers with disabilities.

Initially intended to promote employment for disabled veterans, Section 14(c) of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) permits paying people with disabilities wages below the statutory federal minimum wage. Section 14(c) can no longer apply to disabled veterans, yet it remains a legal way to pay people with disabilities – usually people with developmental disabilities (DD) – below minimum wage. (Employers using 14(c) waivers often pay disabled employees just pennies per hour.) More than 85 years after the law’s initial passage, the policy has frequently led to exploitation—leaving workers with developmental disabilities earning wages far below the poverty line in roles that offer little chance for growth or advancement.