2025 Senate Resolution 81

Whereas, The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare due to its champion, former President Barack Obama, established the Premium Tax Credit to make health insurance coverage more affordable for individuals and families purchasing insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace; and

Whereas, The tax credit is based on income and household size, ensuring that low- and middle-income Americans can access quality healthcare coverage while capping the amount they must pay for premiums as a percentage of their income. Approximately 21.8 million Americans benefit from the tax credit, including roughly 484,000 Michigan residents; and

Whereas, In 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act, which expanded eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit and enhanced credit amounts for tax years 2021 and 2022. These changes were extended for three additional years, 2023 through 2025, under the Inflation Reduction Act. The expansion of the Premium Tax Credit under these acts significantly reduced health insurance costs for millions of Americans, leading to record enrollment and historic lows in the number of uninsured Americans; and

Whereas, Without the continuation of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, millions of Americans could face steep cost increases, risking a reversal of coverage gains and forcing many families to forgo necessary healthcare due to unaffordability. A loss or reduction of the credit would disproportionately harm working families, seniors not yet eligible for Medicare, and vulnerable individuals with chronic health conditions who depend on consistent, affordable coverage at a time when Michigan families are already struggling with paying for the increased cost of essential goods and services; and

Whereas, Federal law prohibits the use of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit by non-citizens who are not lawfully present in the United States; and

Whereas, Sustaining the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit is essential to stabilizing the health insurance marketplace, preventing sharp increases in uncompensated care costs, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all Americans; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Congress and President of the United States to permanently extend the ACA Premium Tax Credit; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.