ATLANTA – A Georgia-based health advocacy organization has sounded the alarm over an impending federal deadline that threatens to leave numerous residents uninsured while potentially inflating health insurance costs statewide.

According to Georgians for a Healthy Future, enhanced premium tax credits introduced through the Affordable Care Act are on the verge of expiration at the year’s end unless Congress steps in to renew them. These credits have played a crucial role in making health insurance more accessible since 2021, significantly reducing premiums or, in some cases, eliminating monthly payments for low-income families.

“We anticipate that premiums could more than double, posing a substantial financial burden on consumers,” remarked Whitney Griggs, the Director of Health Policy at Georgians for a Healthy Future. “Our focus is on educating individuals about the upcoming changes, guiding them in choosing the most suitable plans, and encouraging state leaders to explore Georgia-specific solutions.”

The nonprofit highlights that since these enhanced credits were implemented, the number of people enrolling in the marketplace in Georgia has seen a twofold increase. However, with Congress still deliberating over the future of the tax credits—whether to extend, terminate, or make them permanent—advocates are concerned about potential setbacks.

Georgia boasts its own health insurance exchange, Georgia Access, which allows the state the autonomy to craft additional policy measures aimed at countering rising costs.

One such initiative, termed a “premium wrap,” proposes providing additional state-funded assistance to Georgians enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans. Griggs suggests that this approach could help lower premiums with minimal state expenditure and offer some protection against the uncertainties emanating from Washington.

She also warned that without federal support, a middle-income couple in Macon earning around $85,000 a year could see their premiums jump by $1,300 per month.

According to the Urban Institute, allowing the tax credits to expire could cause nearly 5 million Americans to lose health insurance coverage by 2026. In Georgia, that translates to about 372,000 more uninsured residents, a 40 percent increase in the state’s uninsured rate.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is also sounding the alarm, blaming Washington gridlock for the potential fallout. He says premiums could double for 1.4 million Georgians, and around 500,000 people could lose their health insurance altogether if Congress fails to act.

Advocates are urging Congress to renew or make the enhanced premium tax credits permanent before the year ends, warning that families could see sticker shock when they renew health plans for 2026.

Georgians for a Healthy Future says it will continue working with policymakers and community organizations to protect coverage and keep health care affordable for all Georgians.