Statehouse and D.C. Republicans rally for Affordable Care Act credits

(The Center Square) – Since the federal government shutdown began in October, looming increases on health care costs have hung over Pennsylvania’s public insurance market, Pennie.

Powerless to impact the rates on their own, state lawmakers appealed to their congressional counterparts to act before time runs out.

Open enrollment in the state’s insurance marketplace began Nov. 1. Pennie saw its highest numbers ever with nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians purchasing insurance. The average increase across the marketplace for 2026 is 21.5% according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, or PID.

Rep. Anthony Bellman, D-Philadelphia, says that because of expiring Affordable Care Act, or ACA, credits, “Pennie customers are in for serious sticker shock.” He voiced his concerns in a House resolution urging Congress to act, which found bipartisan support Wednesday.

“When insurance is affordable, people get covered. When it isn’t, they drop coverage and delay care.”

The res...