Millions of Americans will make critical decisions about their health insurance as the open enrollment period begins in November. This year, the stakes are especially high: enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025. Without action, coverage could become less affordable for millions, and marketplace stability could be at risk.
To explore what’s ahead, the Commonwealth Fund and national and state level experts held a timely discussion on:
- Overall health care cost trends and how they impact insurance premiums
- State-by-state trends in marketplace premiums and enrollment
- What expiring enhanced premium tax credits could mean for consumers, states, and insurers
- Policy options to protect affordable coverage
Featured Speakers:
- Sara Collins, Ph.D. | Senior Scholar, Expanding Coverage and Access and Tracking Health System Performance, The Commonwealth Fund
- Lynn Cowles, Ph.D. | Director of Health and Food Justice, Every Texan
- Justin Giovannelli, J.D., M.P.P. | Associate Research Professor, Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Georgetown University
- Devon Trolley, M.H.A. | Executive Director, Pennie
Moderator: Rachel Nuzum, M.P.H. | Senior Vice President, Policy, The Commonwealth Fund
Resource List
- Urban Institute brief on impact on coverage of the expiration of ePTCs in 2026: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/48-million-people-will-lose-coverage-2026-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits
- Georgetown blog on 2026 rate filings: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/new-federal-policies-spur-higher-health-insurance-premiums-consumers-2026-insurer-filings
- Updated state profiles on what ACA marketplaces mean for each state https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/maps-and-interactives/what-aca-marketplaces-do-your-state
- Dr. Leighton Ku et al.'s analysis of the economic impacts of the expiring PTCs here: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/oct/expiring-premium-tax-credits-lead-340000-jobs-lost-2026
- Pennie (Pennsylvania’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace): https://pennie.com/affordability/
