Written by California NBCC Advocate Punita Khanna
Everyone has a right to lifesaving healthcare. Without affordable health insurance, many Americans go without regular checkups, cancer screenings, treatments, and follow-up care.
Congress has historically expanded access to care for those who fall near the poverty level through the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. These credits, set to expire at the end of 2025, have helped more than 20 million people who couldn’t otherwise afford it purchase health insurance, saving the average person $700 annually.
A large majority (77%) of the public, including 63% of Republicans, favor Congress extending these vital credits—but thus far, Congress has failed to act.
Here’s how one NBCC advocate will be affected if credits are not extended.
I am a breast cancer survivor, and I recently stopped working due to multiple health issues. After being on employer-sponsored health plans my entire professional career, I purchased health insurance through CoveredCA, California’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, along with approximately 1.8 million other Californians.
Monthly payments are relatively affordable, thanks to enhanced premium tax credits. But if Congress fails to renew those credits, the average ACA plan enrollee will see their out-of-pocket premium payments increase by over 75%, while gross premiums will rise about 18%.
Here is how this will affect me:
Health plans are also decreasing their covered services, so an individual is paying more out of pocket, in addition to co-pays and deductibles.
People with chronic diseases can have multiple issues. I also have an autoimmune disorder, and treating this disorder is not a covered benefit.
I receive two treatment sessions a week, each costing $150, for a total of $300 a week. That equals $15,600 a year, and does not include the co-pays and deductibles for the other costs of ongoing testing and maintaining my health related to breast cancer.
My estimated health care spend for 2026 is:
Take action today and urge your representatives to protect insurance access for millions.
