Will Congress Let ACA Subsidies Lapse?

January 05, 2026

Congress returns from the holiday break this week without a clear path to address expiring enhanced premium support for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.

The issue was the sticking point in the record-breaking government shutdown that ended in November. It’s unclear if lawmakers will let the premium support lapse before open enrollment ends this month.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Where things stand:  During December, members from the Pennsylvania delegation provided three of the four necessary Republican signatures to force a vote on the extension of ACA premium subsidies in the House. That vote will be Thursday.
• What could happen:  The final enrollment numbers will come through next month, but as many as 150,000 enrollees are expected to drop coverage due to high costs, per state officials.
• Options on the table:  No ACA compromise or alternative has received enough support to move forward. Democrats last year pitched a “clean” three-year extension that was voted down. A few Republican leaders have advocated for a transition to high-deductible plans paired with additional dollars deposited in health savings accounts.
• Last chance:  In Pennsylvania, January 31 is the last day to enroll in 2026 coverage. Nationwide, open enrollment ends January 15 for federal marketplace policies.
• Quotable:  “Pennie encourages consumers to not wait to see what Congress does with the enhanced tax credits,” state officials said in a statement last month. “Should federal policies change at any point, Pennie will make sure enrollees have time to update and enroll in new health plans.”

For more information, contact John Myers, vice president, federal advocacy.