October 2025
The looming crisis
If Congress lets the enhanced ACA premium tax credits expire at the end of this year, West Virginia will be hit harder than almost any other state. Recent analyses show that the average marketplace enrollee in WV would see premium costs rise by roughly 133%—about $1,400 more each year and 114% on average nationally. For many families, that jump isn’t just a line‑item increase; it’s a barrier that forces them to drop coverage entirely. Estimates suggest 15,000 – 20,000 West Virginians could lose their health insurance with many more in Ohio and Kentucky as soon as the subsidies disappear. Click HERE for an estimate of your premium cost increases based on your family’s income and dependents.
The following is a letter sent to our Federal Legislators of our increase in premiums for our clinic that gets their Health Insurance from the Exchange.
I am writing as a small West Virginian business owner to urge you to support legislation that restores the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) premium tax subsidies and moves toward greater transparency in government health‑care policy.
My situation illustrates why these subsidies are essential.
Last night I accessed my family’s health‑insurance options through the federal marketplace and discovered that, under the current rules, my household’s deductible would jump from $17,800 to $21,000, and my monthly premium would surge from $88 to $1,719.65 per month for a catastrophic plan that offers far less coverage than the plan we currently hold. This dramatic increase makes coverage unaffordable for my family and threatens to push us—along with many other small‑business owners—into the uninsured pool.
The broader impact is equally alarming.
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- Small‑business strain: My clinic already feels the pressure of rising inflation and tariffs on medical supplies. Adding unaffordable health‑care costs would jeopardize the viability of the practice and, consequently, the patients who rely on us for care, particularly our Veterans one of our largest service areas (VA Hospital Community Care).
- Premium spillover: When healthy individuals are forced out of comprehensive coverage, the risk pool shrinks, driving premiums higher for everyone else—a vicious cycle that undermines the ACA’s goal of affordable, universal coverage.
- Credit‑report consequences: The recent reversal of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule that barred medical debt from appearing on credit reports further penalizes families already struggling with health‑care costs, threatening their ability to secure housing, loans, and other essentials.
These policies run counter to the public interest and to the promise that the ACA made to millions of Americans seeking reliable, affordable health coverage. Restoring the premium tax subsidies would:
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- Re‑establish affordability for families like mine, ensuring we can keep essential coverage without sacrificing basic financial stability.
- Stabilize the risk pool by keeping healthy individuals insured, which helps keep premiums down for everyone.
- Uphold the principle of equitable access to health care—a cornerstone of a fair and productive society.
I respectfully ask that you:
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- Support legislation that reinstates the ACA premium tax credits at levels consistent with pre‑2023 standards.
- Advocate for increased transparency in how health‑care policy changes are communicated to the public, especially when they affect vulnerable populations.
- Oppose measures that allow medical debt to be reported on credit histories without robust consumer protections.
Your leadership can help prevent a wave of new uninsured Americans, protect small businesses, and preserve the integrity of our health‑care system. I stand ready to discuss this issue further or provide any additional information you may need.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for your continued service to the people.
On Monday, October 20th, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found 72% of Americans support keeping discounted health insurance subsidies that help the most vulnerable in our communities with about 22 million people receiving enhanced subsidies.
Examples: Premium increases in 2026 would occur across income groups, KFF found.
For example, a 60-year-old couple making $85,000, or 402% of the federal poverty level, would see their yearly premium payments rise by over $22,600 next year, on average, after accounting for the loss of enhanced credits and insurers’ rate increases, KFF found.
A 45-year-old earning $20,000, or 128% of the federal poverty level, in a state that hasn’t expanded Medicaid coverage would see premiums for a benchmark health plan rise from $0 to $420 per year, on average, from the loss of enhanced premium tax credits, KFF said.
What that means for you, our patients
- Higher out‑of‑pocket costs: Even if you can stay on the exchange, you’ll likely pay hundreds of dollars more each month.
- Risk of losing coverage: Families already struggling to afford a modest premium may be forced to forgo insurance, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected medical bills.
- Strain on local health systems: Hospitals and clinics rely on reimbursements from insured patients. A wave of uninsured patients can jeopardize the financial stability of the very facilities that serve our community.
Why the tax credits matter
The ACA’s premium tax credits were expanded in 2021 to make marketplace plans affordable for low and middle‑income households. Those subsidies are not a “handout”; they are a mechanism that keeps health insurance within reach for working families. Without them, the market reverts to pre‑2021 pricing—prices that many Americans simply cannot sustain.
A clear call to action
Our health depends on policy decisions made in Washington, D.C., and in the Capitol. We need your voice. Here’s how you can help protect affordable health coverage for our communities:
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative – Call, email, or write a brief note urging them to reopen negotiations and permanently reinstate the enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
Together we can keep health care affordable
The deadline is fast approaching, and the stakes are high. By uniting our voices, we can remind policymakers that the health of our Tri-State —and the viability of our local health system—depends on keeping these essential subsidies in place.
Take a moment today. Call your senators, share your story, and help ensure that every American can continue to afford the health coverage they need.
Thank you for standing with us.
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Disclaimer & Legal Notice: All information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never self-prescribe. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplement, medication, diet, or exercise routine, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. The services, products, and information shared have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease outside the scope of Oriental Medicine. Patrick W. Hart Jr., “Dr. Skip,” O.M.D., is a licensed Oriental Medicine Physician (WV Board of Acupuncture) specializing in Holistic Functional Wellness. All content is copyright protected and may not be reproduced without permission.
