WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/23/25
As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, Connecticut officials and state leaders continue to advocate for Congress to reach a resolution that protects Americans from soaring healthcare costs. Congress remains deadlocked over the extension of enhanced premium tax credits for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In a Capitol news briefing on Tuesday, October 21, Governor Ned Lamont, Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and Access Health CT CEO James Michel encouraged Access Health CT customers to wait for clarity on the subsidies or until December before deciding whether to buy a health plan through Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange. They also explained that the expiration of ACA subsidies would place pressure on the entire healthcare delivery system, impacting all patients’ access to care and insurance premiums. Hospitals will continue to treat patients, regardless of their ability to pay, further increasing already unsustainable uncompensated care costs.
Starting this week, in advance of open enrollment from November 1 through December 15 for plans taking effect January 1, 2026, customers who purchase health insurance through Access Health CT will receive notices informing them how much more they can expect to pay for the same coverage if subsidies expire. State officials painted a stark picture of skyrocketing, unaffordable premiums, warning customers they may see a triple-digit spike in price; however, they also stressed that even if subsidies expire, some financial support will still be available to most Access Health CT customers who currently receive it.
On Wednesday, October 22, Connecticut legislators also hosted a press conference calling for Congress to take action. Multiple Access Health CT customers stepped up to the podium to share their personal experiences with the lifesaving benefits of affordable healthcare coverage made possible by enhanced premium tax credits. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) also visited Day Kimball Health on Wednesday to discuss the impact of President Trump’s tax and spending law on healthcare services.
Last month, Lamont joined governors from 17 other states in calling on congressional leaders to extend the subsidies.
