As per recent survey findings, nearly 80 percent of Americans are in favor of prolonging the enhanced premium tax credits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which are scheduled to lapse at the year’s end—and are pivotal to a funding disagreement that resulted in the federal government shutdown this week.
The survey, carried out by KFF and made public on Friday, revealed that 78 percent of Americans wish for the tax credits to be prolonged, encompassing 92 percent of Democrats, 59 percent of Republicans—and even a majority (57 percent) of Republicans identifying as supporters of Donald Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
A distinct evaluation issued by KFF earlier this week indicated that should the credits not be prolonged, monthly premiums for ACA Marketplace plans would more than double on average. In detail, the current average premium of $888 would soar to $1,904 in 2026, representing a 114 percent rise.
Implications
The survey released today discovered that, aside from widespread backing for the credits, many Americans remain unaware that they are at risk. Approximately six in ten adults mentioned they have heard “a little” (30 percent) or “nothing whatsoever” (31 percent) regarding the expiration of the credits.
“There is a heated discussion ongoing in Washington about the impending ACA premium increases, but our survey indicates that most individuals in the marketplaces are still uninformed and will be taken aback when they find out in November,” stated KFF President and CEO Drew Altman.
Even more alarming, the survey revealed that among those purchasing their own insurance plans, 70 percent acknowledged they would experience a considerable disruption to their household budgets if their premiums were to double. Additionally, 42 percent indicated they would ultimately forgo health insurance in such an event. Currently, over 24 million Americans obtain their insurance via the ACA Marketplace.
