Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for Affordable Care Act Credits/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new KFF poll finds that 78% of Americans support extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025. Without congressional action, health premiums could more than double for millions of enrollees. The findings come as the government shutdown continues amid partisan deadlock over subsidies.
ACA Subsidy Poll Results: Quick Looks
- 78% of Americans want ACA subsidies extended.
- Support includes majorities of Democrats, independents, and Republicans.
- Even 57% of MAGA Republicans favor keeping the credits.
- Poll taken Sept. 23–29, just before shutdown began.
- Many Americans unaware of looming expiration, even enrollees.
- Without action, premiums could double for 24 million enrollees.
- 70% of ACA users say they cannot afford hikes.
- Public more likely to blame Trump and GOP if credits expire.
Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for Affordable Care Act Credits
Deep Look
NEW YORK — As the government shutdown enters its third day, a new KFF poll shows overwhelming public support for extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. The subsidies, which expire at the end of 2025 without congressional renewal, have helped lower costs for millions of Americans since the pandemic.
Broad Support Across Party Lines
According to the survey, conducted Sept. 23–29, about 3 in 4 Americans (78%) say Congress should extend the tax credits that make ACA coverage more affordable. Support cuts across party affiliations:
- Nearly all Democrats favor extension.
- A majority of independents support the move.
- Even among Republicans, 57% aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement back the subsidies.
This strong bipartisan approval comes despite sharp partisan divides in Washington, where Democrats insist on tying subsidy extension to reopening the government, and Republicans argue the issue should wait.
Shutdown Standoff
The subsidies are at the heart of the current funding standoff. Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen government unless the credits are renewed now. Republicans, led by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, call that a political stunt and argue decisions about subsidies can be made later.
What’s at Stake
The 24 million people enrolled in ACA coverage could face steep increases in 2026 if the credits expire:
- Premiums could more than double for the average enrollee.
- Low-income Americans may lose access to zero-premium plans.
- Middle- and high-income households would again face premiums capped at 8.5% of income, a limit set to vanish without the extension.
KFF found that 70% of marketplace enrollees said they could not afford the higher costs without major financial disruption. About 40% said they would drop coverage entirely if prices spiked, while others said they would switch to employer plans or cut household spending elsewhere.
Awareness Still Low
Despite the high stakes, public awareness is limited. Six in 10 people with self-purchased insurance said they had heard little or nothing about the tax credits’ expiration. This suggests public opinion could shift as the shutdown drags on and media coverage grows.
Blame Game: GOP Bears More Risk
The KFF poll shows that most Americans who support extending subsidies would blame Republicans if credits expire.
- 8 in 10 subsidy supporters say Trump or congressional Republicans would be at fault.
- 2 in 10 would blame Democrats.
This aligns with a Washington Post poll, which also found more Americans blaming Trump and Republicans for the shutdown than Democrats, though many respondents were undecided.
Democrats and Republicans Dig In
Democratic leaders say the public is on their side. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries argued Thursday:
“Millions of Americans are facing dramatically increased health care premiums, co-pays, and deductibles because of Republican unwillingness to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
Republicans counter that Democrats are jeopardizing government operations by linking unrelated issues to funding. Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday:
“Real pain is being inflicted on the American people because of Democrats’ refusal to vote for Republican legislation to fund the government.”
Looking Ahead
The issue underscores a central tension: while voters broadly support ACA subsidies, partisan divides in Congress may delay action until the end of the year. By then, millions could face uncertainty heading into the Nov. 1 open enrollment period for 2026 health plans.
For now, the KFF poll suggests a rare point of agreement among Americans — a desire to preserve affordable health insurance — even as Washington gridlock leaves that consensus at risk.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.