National Indian Health Board Calls on Congress to Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is urging Tribal communities and advocates to reach out to Congress to support the continuation of enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. In a letter dated December 4, NIHB highlighted the crucial role these credits play in reducing monthly premiums for individuals purchasing insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Expanded in 2021, the enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) are scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2025. NIHB warned that letting them lapse would disproportionately impact American Indians and Alaska Natives, many of whom depend on marketplace plans either directly or through referrals from the Indian health system. Without an extension, insurance costs are projected to rise significantly, and approximately 126,000 Native individuals could lose their marketplace coverage.

Currently, about 318,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives are enrolled in marketplace plans that benefit from these enhanced credits. NIHB noted that losing this coverage would place additional pressure on the Indian Health Service, which relies heavily on insurance billing to provide patient care.

The organization urged Congress to implement a straightforward extension of the credits, emphasizing that such a measure is essential for maintaining healthcare access and honoring federal commitments to Tribal Nations.

How to Take Action

1. Contact Your Representatives: Identify and reach out to your congressional representatives to express support for extending the enhanced premium tax credits and fully funding Tribal health services.
   • Send a Letter to Your Representative (template available)
   • Call Your Member: You can use this script:
     "Hello, my name is [STATE NAME], and I am a citizen of [TRIBE] and a constituent of [CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER NAME]. I am calling to express concern about the expiring enhanced premium tax credits. The Indian Health System relies on insurance revenue to provide quality care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The enhanced premium tax credits are critical for our Tribal citizens to maintain access to healthcare. I urge [Representative/Senator XX] to support a clean extension of these credits."
2. Share Your Story: NIHB encourages Tribal members to share how the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits would affect them. Stories can be sent to CongressionalRelations@nihb.org.

Author: Connor Blake