PA Congressmen Failed to Extend Expiring Health Care Tax Credits That Helped Tens of Thousands in Their Districts Afford Care

PENNSYLVANIA - Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law sixteen years ago, it has put affordable, accessible health care within reach for millions of Pennsylvanians. In 2025, the uninsured rate in Pennsylvania had nearly halved from 2010, dropping from 10% to 5.3% due to the ACA. Now, thanks in part to the inaction of Congressmen Mackenzie, Bresnahan, and Perry, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians have dropped their coverage due to skyrocketing costs after Republicans let critical health care tax credits expire last year.

“The Lehigh Valley is facing an affordability crisis. As a 64 year old retiree, I’m forced to return to work to keep up with the rising cost of housing, health care, groceries, and more. It isn’t right,” said David of Bethlehem. “Rep. Mackenzie chose to wait until the eleventh hour to take action to save these tax credits and hasn’t lifted a finger trying to restore them after his colleagues let them expire. Now, the very Pennsylvanians he was elected to represent and serve have had to drop their coverage or forgo other necessities to pay for their sky high premiums. Congressman Mackenzie needs to restore these tax credits, reverse his other cuts that are raising costs on his constituents, and fight for an affordable Lehigh Valley.”

Following the end of Pennsylvania’s open enrollment period in January, Pennie announced that nearly 1 in 5 enrollees were unable to keep their health plan in 2026 due to rising costs. Without these tax credits, Pennie costs have increased by an average of 102% across Pennsylvania. Over 25,000 of Bresnahan’s constituents relied on these tax credits in 2025 for affordable care. Premiums have increased by an average of 84% in PA-08. Similarly, 21,000 Pennsylvanians in Mackenzie’s district benefited from the tax credits. His constituents now face an average premium increase of 178%. Congressman Perry represents 25,000 tax credit users and the district facing the highest premium increase in the Commonwealth at 180%.

Following months of action from their constituents, Congressmen Mackenzie and Bresnahan finally voted to restore critical health care tax credits for three years - after they had already expired. Congressman Perry not only voted against restoring the tax credits for 25,000 of his own constituents, but actually advocated for a total repeal of the ACA, putting health care at risk for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions and leading to massive cost increases.

Read more about how higher premiums are hurting Pennsylvania’s health care system, economy, and communities:

• CNBC: The ACA health coverage subsidy lapse hit 22 million people. Here are some of their stories

• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: One in five Pennie enrollees drops health coverage following expired subsidies

• Philadelphia Inquirer: 85,000 Pennie customers dropped health plans as tax credits shrank and costs spiked

• Pennsylvania Independent: ACA credits expire, driving up health insurance costs in Pennsylvania

• Hospital + Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania: Higher Uninsured Rate Looms over Future Pa. Health Care