Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska’s 2nd District has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act. The legislation aims to prevent a significant increase in healthcare premiums as enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to expire at the end of 2025.
The bill, co-led by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Suozzi, Jared Golden, Rob Bresnahan, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Donald G. Davis, proposes extending these enhanced tax credits through 2027. Lawmakers say this would help millions of Americans maintain affordable health coverage and avoid sudden cost increases.
“I’m glad we’re moving the debate forward on extending and reforming the Affordable Care Act subsidies. I’ve made clear to my colleagues on both sides that Congress needs a smart, bipartisan agreement that prevents our constituents’ health insurance premiums from skyrocketing,” said Rep. Bacon. “That’s why I worked with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Jared Golden, Tom Suozzi, Rob Bresnahan, and Don Davis to introduce the Bipartisan Health Coverage Affordability Act, another reasonable compromise that extends the enhanced premium tax credits for two years and applies new income caps and fraud protections. This may not be the final package Congress adopts, but it’s a responsible compromise that can help break the gridlock and protect families from higher costs.”
Key provisions in the proposed legislation include measures to prevent abrupt premium spikes by extending enhanced tax credits; requiring consumer consent before plan or subsidy changes; increasing transparency regarding pharmacy benefit managers; expanding access to Health Savings Accounts; simplifying premium payments; and modernizing eligibility rules with new minimum contributions.
Rep. Fitzpatrick commented: “From the outset, I committed to delivering a bipartisan solution to prevent devastating premium spikes—today, we are doing exactly that. Our bill keeps the ACA’s premium tax credits in place, so families are not blindsided with unaffordable increases in the care they depend on… We built this the right way—with input from across the aisle and across chambers—with the clearest pathway to the President’s desk. We’re ready to get this done, and we call on our colleagues to step up, join us, and put American families, not political messaging, first.”
Rep. Suozzi added: “The expiration of the ACA Premium Tax Credits on 12/31/25 would create an avoidable crisis for millions of Americans who will face an explosion of their healthcare premiums. We need a bipartisan solution now… Simply put, while this bill is not perfect, it is a short-term, reasonable solution that prevents catastrophic premium spikes.”
Rep. Golden noted: “We have known for months that there is no way for either party to address the looming health care cliff alone… The Bipartisan Health Coverage Affordability Act preserves the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for the families who need them most…”
Other sponsors emphasized accountability and affordability as central goals of their proposal.
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska’s 2nd District in Congress since 2017 after replacing Brad Ashford (https://bacon.house.gov/about). He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 and currently lives in Papillion.
The ACA originally established premium tax credits to help make coverage more affordable for families. In response to recent inflationary pressures and ongoing debates over broader reforms, Congress temporarily increased these credits through 2025. Without further action before year-end expiration dates take effect at midnight December 31st next year, many households could see immediate increases in their insurance costs.
Supporters argue that this bipartisan effort offers both immediate relief for working families facing higher costs and a framework for future efforts aimed at reducing overall healthcare expenses.