Source: Inside Health Policy
A new national poll conducted by Republican pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward shows overwhelming bipartisan voter support for maintaining the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits (APTCs), which are set to expire at the end of 2025. The findings suggest that extending the tax credits could not only prevent major coverage losses and premium increases but also reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The poll, which surveyed voters in the nation’s most competitive congressional districts, found:
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Nearly 80% of voters support premium tax credits that help working families afford health coverage—including those without access to employer-sponsored insurance or public programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
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Support spans political lines: more than two-thirds of Trump voters and three-fourths of swing voters say the credits should be extended.
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Among voters currently or previously enrolled in marketplace coverage, support rises to 86%.
The report also indicates that voters place a high value on ensuring as many Americans as possible maintain health insurance coverage. When asked, a strong majority opposed policy changes that would result in people losing their insurance.
Impact on Colorado and Urgency for Action
The Colorado Division of Insurance recently attributed the state’s preliminary 28% average individual market premium increase for 2026 to uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the enhanced APTCs. Without Congressional action, consumers could begin receiving renewal notices reflecting higher premiums as soon as August—well before open enrollment begins on November 1.
The enhanced tax credits, originally enacted under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, expanded financial assistance by capping premiums at 8.5% of household income and making $0 premium plans available for many lower-income Coloradans. Letting these subsidies expire could lead to an estimated 4.2 million Americans losing coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Several U.S. Senators from both parties have expressed interest in discussing options to extend the credits, with policy discussions expected to intensify as insurers finalize 2026 rates in mid-August.
What’s Next?
Health care stakeholders—including consumer advocates, insurers, and provider organizations—have urged Congress to act swiftly, ideally before insurers submit final rates to the federal government on August 13. Delayed action could result in significant market disruption and decreased enrollment, particularly among lower-income and healthier populations.
As affordability remains a top priority for Colorado’s health plans, CAHP will continue to monitor developments and advocate for solutions that maintain access and reduce costs for Coloradans.
📄 Read the full article from Inside Health Policy here.
🧾 Source: Inside Health Policy, July 17, 2025. Reporting by Amy Lotven.
