Lawmakers Push to Restore Health Tax Credits as Premiums Spike After ACA Milestone

Sixteen years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, concerns about healthcare affordability persist in Kansas, as some lawmakers and residents point to rising costs following the expiration of federal tax credits.

At the start of the year, enhanced healthcare tax credits expired, leading to a sharp increase in insurance premiums for thousands of Kansans. Representative Sharice Davids said some families have seen premiums rise by as much as 77 percent, an increase estimated at roughly $700 more per year to maintain existing coverage.

“That is a shocking $700 a year out of Kansans pockets just to keep the coverage they already were depending on,” said Davids. “I voted in January to extend these tax credits, and even multiple Republicans joined us in that. But House and Senate leadership and the current administration are still refusing to act. Meanwhile, hardworking families are paying the price. This is not about politics. This is about people’s health, their financial security, and their lives. We need to extend these tax credits right now.”

Advocates argue the issue goes beyond politics, emphasizing the financial strain on working families and the potential impact on access to care. Rep Davids said rising costs could force some Kansans to reconsider or drop coverage altogether. Lawmakers pushing for an extension say they plan to continue efforts to reinstate the tax credits, calling it a necessary step to ensure affordable, quality healthcare remains accessible across the state.