The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) extended enhanced tax credits expire December 31. Unless the GOP-led Congress and Trump agree to an extension, annual health care premiums for ACA private insurance for many will “double next year to $1,900 from an average of $890” (NYT). In Wisconsin, the increase could soar depending on age, which county you live in and insurer competition. “Among those facing a spike, most said they would blame President Trump or Republicans in Congress, according to (a) poll, which was conducted by the KFF … .” – Kaiser Family Foundation (NYT).
However, Trump continues in denial, calling cost-of-living increases a “fake narrative” and a “con job,” despite real pain felt by regular folks and Republicans losing elections. If the ACA tax credits are not extended millions will lose coverage while many others will have to decide which bills to pay. Trump and congressional Republicans ran in 2024 on ending inflation. But they have utterly failed. Moreover, Republicans made matters worse.
The Big Beautiful Bill “cuts taxes by $4.5 trillion over the next decade, primarily with $2.3 trillion of provisions that deliver most of their benefits to the richest 10 percent of Americans by income …” (Center for American Progress). At the same time the bill cuts the ACA, Medicaid and food assistance by over $1 trillion. Moreover, Republicans neglected to extend the ACA tax credits for regular folks despite strong advocacy by Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin. Extending the ACA tax credits “would cost the federal government around $23 billion next year and around $350 billion over the next decade, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office” (NYT).
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Over 24 million Americans, including 313,579 Wisconsinites, are covered by ACA private insurance, using the ACA tax credits to pay their premiums in part or in full. People covered include farmers, self-employed and small business owners and their employees. Extended enhanced ACA tax credits would also cover over 600,000 veterans (2026). “More than half of enrollees live in Republican-held congressional districts …” (Washington Post). It’s long past time for Trump and congressional Republicans to extend the ACA tax credits.
The American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) all agree. AHIP said: “Congress should act quickly to extend health care tax credits. … With timely bipartisan action, Congress can both provide peace of mind to millions of Americans for 2026 and enact solutions to further strengthen the individual market in the years ahead.”
Some Republicans, but not Wisconsin congressional Republicans, want a deal. A bipartisan group of House representatives said: “Allowing these tax credits to lapse without a clear path forward would risk real harm to those we represent.” They are advocating for a 1-2 year extension. It’s time for Wisconsin Republicans to stop calling for repeal of the ACA (failed over 70 times) or offering half-baked alternatives. The GOP-led Senate may vote on Thursday. The GOP-led House vote is unclear. Voters will know who to blame in 2026.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
