FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
TODAY: Reps. Steil and Van Orden should vote for three-year health care tax credit extension and reject Republican plan that will raise costs
As the House discharge petition on temporary tax credit extension succeeds, Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden should immediately support an extension of health care tax credits
MADISON, Wis. – Ahead of today’s House vote on a Republican health care bill that fails to extend health care tax credits and drives up the cost of coverage for working families, Opportunity Wisconsin called on Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to vote against the legislation and instead support a clean three-year extension of health care tax credits, a plan that now has bipartisan support.
"While many Wisconsin families are bracing for their premiums to double at the end of the year, Republicans in Congress will vote on their own health care bill that completely ignores this crisis,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Congressmen Van Orden and Steil should vote against this bill because it does nothing to address expiring health care tax credits. In fact, this legislation will make things even worse, drive up health care costs and force more Americans to go without the coverage they need. This doesn’t have to be complicated – Steil and Van Orden should change course and support the three-year extension of health care tax credits and provide the relief their constituents need now.”
CNN reported that the Republican bill would drive up costs: “Funding the cost-sharing subsidies would reduce silver plan premiums, but it would also slash the aid enrollees receive to pay for coverage, in effect raising their monthly payments. And it would come at a time when consumers are already contending with the lapse of the enhanced premium subsidies. Those with moderate incomes would see a big premium increase, said Loren Adler, associate director at the Brookings Institution’s Center on Health Policy. Payments would rise for those who want to purchase other levels of plans.”
The health care tax credits, which have helped millions of Americans afford coverage since 2021, are set to expire on December 31, 2025. Without congressional action to extend them, many Wisconsin families will face dramatic premium increases, with some paying more than double the cost in 2026.
###
