Enhanced premium tax credits are vital for making health care affordable for millions of families in the U.S., including over 484,000 people in Michigan. These credits help with costs for those using the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. However, Congress has yet to act to prevent them from expiring at the end of this year.
As open enrollment began on November 1, many people are already experiencing steep increases in premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. If Congress doesn’t extend these credits, premiums could rise by over 75% for the average enrollee and up to 90% for those in rural areas. For example, a 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 could see their monthly premiums jump from $602 to $2,647—adding nearly $24,500 to their annual expenses.
With these changes, here are some tips for those enrolling in the marketplace:
- Update your information regularly and compare plans to find the best fit.
- Don’t depend on automatic enrollment; verify your premiums to avoid surprises.
- Read all communications from the marketplace and your insurer carefully.
It’s also crucial to estimate your income accurately for the next year. If your financial situation changes, update your marketplace account promptly and adjust your premium tax credits as needed. Make sure to stay current on premium payments to avoid penalties and reconcile your credits during tax season in 2026.
But this isn’t just about individual responsibility; it’s a broader issue that Congress needs to take seriously. Many people forgo necessary health care due to costs or fall into medical debt. If the enhanced tax credits expire, over 76,000 Michiganders could lose their insurance, especially those who don’t have employer-sponsored coverage or government assistance.
In counties like Alpena, Presque Isle, Alcona, and Montmorency, the uninsured rates are currently low—around 4% to 6%—but this could change quickly without Congressional action. Families already stretched thin by rising costs for food, rent, and medications will face even tougher choices.
Workers in service industries and small business owners—who make up about 25% of marketplace enrollees—will be particularly affected. Losing thousands from the marketplace means a riskier, older insurance pool, leading to even higher premiums for those who remain. In this economy, families can’t afford escalating medical costs or debt.
According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 60% of Americans are concerned about affording health care, highlighting the urgency of this issue. Families deserve affordable health coverage, and Congress must take action to protect these crucial tax credits for the hundreds of thousands in Michigan who depend on them.
For more in-depth insights and data on health care costs, you can check the [Kaiser Family Foundation](https://www.kff.org).
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