Sewell Advocates for Continued ACA Subsidies
U.S. Representative Terri Sewell from Alabama emphasized the importance of maintaining Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies during a recent livestream event. She discussed the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC), a federal health insurance grant established by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and later extended by the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.
While the EPTC has been an essential part of the ACA health insurance market, it’s currently set to expire at the end of 2025. During her “Terri Talks” social media event over the weekend, Sewell engaged with her constituents, who shared how critical this support is for many Americans.
“When these tax credits expire, especially with the high cost of living, the average Alabama family’s healthcare will become unaffordable,” Sewell remarked, stressing that her Democratic colleagues are prepared to negotiate with Republicans to protect American healthcare and keep the government operational.
Senate Democrats pointed out the absence of a Republican strategy to broaden the EPTC as a reason for halting Republican support for a Continuous Resolution aimed at funding the government until November 21. This comes as they prepare for a fifth vote on the matter.
Sewell mentioned that about 22 million Americans are currently enrolled in the EPTC Healthcare Plan, impacting 53,000 people in her district alone. She highlighted that the expiration of these subsidies would likely cause average premiums to soar, projecting an annual cost of $2,571 for a typical family of four earning around $64,000 per year.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, if EPTC expires, market premiums could increase by 114% on average. They noted a significant rise in market registrations since the introduction of the EPTC.
Sewell criticized Republicans for leaving Americans to manage their healthcare crisis, describing this as a reckless oversight. “They should have addressed these issues rather than shifting responsibility,” she added.
Joining Sewell was Virginia Hutchinson, a Birmingham resident who benefits from the EPTC and ACA plans. Hutchinson emphasized that healthcare isn’t just numbers; it directly affects people’s lives. “A lot of uncertainty surrounded my job search, so finding affordable coverage was essential due to my chronic health issues,” she explained.
She noted that EPTC allowed her to accept jobs at smaller businesses without health benefits, making her medical expenses manageable. “Health insurance is really complicated, especially for small businesses,” Hutchinson remarked, reiterating how vital it is for people like her.
Sewell responded to concerns raised by her constituents regarding the Continuous Resolution that reportedly would include funding for healthcare for undocumented immigrants. Alabama Republican senators have criticized this aspect, arguing it improperly includes taxpayer-funded health care for individuals in the country illegally.
Sewell clarified that it is illegal to provide federally-funded health insurance to undocumented immigrants. The proposed resolution would not extend healthcare provisions to this group but would instead restrict Medicaid funds for uncompensated emergency care and limit eligibility for legal asylum seekers.
She insisted, “Using taxpayer money for illegal immigrants’ healthcare is against the law.” Sewell and Hutchinson called on Senate Republicans to collaborate with Democrats to maintain the EPTC, especially with the new healthcare market registration period beginning on November 1.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue; good healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of their political views,” Hutchinson stated. She expressed hope that even those who supported Republican policies would advocate for a strong healthcare system.
When asked about what message might resonate with former President Trump regarding EPTC, Hutchinson pondered if he might actually listen to everyday Americans’ concerns. She emphasized that Trump often spoke of making life more affordable for the average citizen.
Recent polling from KFF showed strong support for EPTC expansion, with 92% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans in favor. Additionally, 93% of ACA market subscribers benefitted from a premium tax credit in 2025, with many living in states Trump won in the 2024 election.
A broad coalition of over 100 healthcare providers, businesses, and advocacy groups in Alabama is urging Congress to extend the EPTC, citing that around 130,000 Alabamians could lose healthcare coverage if these premiums expire.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported that the EPTC expiration would be notably impactful, particularly in non-Medicaid expanding states and rural areas. They estimated a staggering annual revenue loss for Alabama healthcare providers, along with a significant increase in demand for uncompensated care.
Sewell is set to host a live town hall on Wednesday to address any questions from her constituents related to government funding and healthcare issues.
