American entrepreneurs fuel this country through resilience, job creation and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity. Then they got caught in the middle of a congressional standoff, while the economy is already showing signs of a steep decline. Millions of small-business owners and self-employed workers are bracing for what will happen if Congress lets the enhanced ACA tax credits expire this year.
They’re asking themselves: What will we cut to absorb higher health insurance premiums? Does it mean scaling back payroll, freezing hiring or shelving plans to expand?
And how can we focus on growth if we’re distracted by the fear of what might happen if we get sick or injured and no longer have health coverage?
That uncertainty is spreading fast. Twenty-two million Americans depend on these enhanced tax credits to afford health insurance through HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. More than 4 million entrepreneurs, many running on razor-thin margins, rely on them. Among Hispanic Americans, marketplace enrollment has surged 185% since 2021, thanks to the affordability these credits provide.
If Congress does nothing, these hardworking Americans could see premiums jump by hundreds of dollars monthly, beginning in January. Now, as renewal notices for 2026 open enrollment land in families’ mailboxes, that uncertainty is deepening the anxiety they’re already feeling.