Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) has introduced the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act, aiming to prevent significant increases in healthcare premiums as enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to expire at the end of 2025. Fitzpatrick was joined by Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) in presenting this bipartisan measure.
If Congress does not act before the expiration date, millions of Americans could face higher costs and potential loss of coverage due to the end of ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits. The proposed legislation seeks to extend these credits through 2027, introduce new consumer protections, increase transparency among pharmacy benefit managers, expand access to Health Savings Accounts, and implement changes intended to ensure responsible use of federal funds.
“From the outset, I committed to delivering a bipartisan solution to prevent devastating premium spikes—today, we are doing exactly that. Our bill keeps the ACA’s premium tax credits in place, so families are not blindsided with unaffordable increases in the care they depend on,” said Fitzpatrick. “This is a practical, people-first fix that protects families now, while preserving the space to keep working toward a stronger, smarter, more affordable healthcare system. When the stakes are this high, responsible governance means securing 80 percent of what families need today rather than risking 100 percent of nothing tomorrow. We built this the right way—with input from across the aisle and across chambers—with the clearest pathway to the President’s desk. We’re ready to get this done, and we call on our colleagues to step up, join us, and put American families, not political messaging, first.”
The bill also aims to require consent for plan or subsidy changes and prompt notification before any modifications take effect; eliminate hidden spread pricing practices by pharmacy benefit managers; require full rebate pass-throughs; simplify premium payments; modernize eligibility criteria; and introduce minimum contributions for long-term affordability.
“We have known for months that there is no way for either party to address the looming health care cliff alone. It’s long past time that members and leaders in Congress come together to prevent catastrophic coverage price spikes for millions of Americans,” said Golden. “The Bipartisan Health Coverage Affordability Act preserves the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for the families who need them most, implements sensible income caps to reduce costs and better target benefits and cracks down on prescription drug middlemen. This moment requires leaders to abandon their partisan corners and govern. Our bill provides a path out of gridlock and toward solutions.”
“The expiration of the ACA Premium Tax Credits on 12/31/25 would create an avoidable crisis for millions of Americans who will face an explosion of their healthcare premiums. We need a bipartisan solution now, and we must battle against the petty partisan interests that put politics above people. Simply put, while this bill is not perfect, it is a short-term reasonable solution that prevents catastrophic premium spikes. If enacted we must use the reprieve to craft long-term reforms: incentivizing preventative care lowering drug prices cracking down on wasteful bureaucracy,” said Suozzi.
“I’m glad we’re moving forward on extending and reforming Affordable Care Act subsidies… That’s why I worked with Reps…to introduce another reasonable compromise…that can help break gridlock,” said Bacon.
Other supporters emphasized urgency in passing measures that would protect consumers from losing coverage or facing financial hardship due to medical emergencies.
Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after succeeding Mike Fitzpatrick [source]. He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 [source].
The original enhancements were added during recent years as inflation rose but will lapse unless Congress acts soon.
