Washington: WA Health Benefit Exchange statement on Congress' failure to extend enhanced tax credits

via the Washington HealthBenefit Exchange:

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, the Senate failed to pass either of two health care bills they voted on, one of which was to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. Washington Health Benefit Exchange released the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed Congress failed to extend the enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs). We know these tax credits have made a tremendous difference to Washingtonians. They have helped to make health insurance more affordable, and without them more people will be forced to go without coverage and increase the uninsured rate. We also know that many of our customers will be forced to make tough decisions to afford the increased costs.  

“While this extension was not successful, we are grateful to members of our state Congressional delegation for their leadership in fighting for Washingtonians and highlighting this very important issue and the focus on health care affordability. 

“Washington Health Benefit Exchange will continue to do whatever we can to help mitigate the impact of the loss of the ePTCs. We are committed to working with Gov. Bob Ferguson and the state Legislature to help find remedies to make health insurance more affordable and accessible. 

“As a reminder, customers have until Dec. 15 to sign up on wahealthplanfinder.org for health insurance that begins Jan. 1. If customers sign up by Jan. 15, their coverage will begin on Feb. 1.”