Gov. JB Pritzker is the latest Illinois official to urge Congress to extend enhanced premium tax credits for marketplace plans.[Health News Illinois]
Pritzker joined 16 other Democratic governors in a letter to the four Congressional leaders, saying lawmakers needed to act soon on the tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
“If Congress acts quickly, states can lock in lower premiums and spare families a wave of sticker shock this fall,” the governors said. “If not, the damage will be felt for years.”
The deadline for government funding has put the tax credits in the limelight as Democrats seek to pressure Republicans into extending subsidies that have helped expand health insurance coverage.
Some Republicans have shown openness to an extension by year’s end, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., saying he is open to discussing legislation to extend the subsidies if it is not part of a government funding deal.
Get Covered Illinois Director Morgan Winters joined other state-based health insurance marketplace leaders earlier this month to ask Congress to support an extension.
A recent analysis found most Illinois insurers will seek double-digit rate increases on next year’s exchange, with officials pointing to rising healthcare costs and the expiration of temporary subsidies.
The average requested rate change in Illinois ranges from 9.3 percent sought by MercyCare HMO to 38.6 percent pursued by Centene’s Celtic Insurance Company.
KFF reported that the median proposed premium increase nationwide is 18 percent, about 11 percentage points higher than last year and the largest change insurers have asked for since 2018.
The Illinois Department of Insurance said preliminary estimates would place the average rate increase at approximately 10 percentage points lower if the tax credits are reinstated.
“Families shouldn’t have to choose between having healthcare and putting food on the table,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Republicans in Congress had no issue cutting taxes for billionaires, so they should have no issue extending tax relief for their own constituents who will suffer if they expire. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue – it’s common sense.”
KFF data show that 330,216 Illinoisans received enhanced tax credits last year, saving an average of $548 monthly on premiums.
Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans enrolled in health plans during the 2025 open enrollment period.
Illinois is set to launch its state-based marketplace for the coming plan year. Open enrollment begins in November and runs through January 15.
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