Nonprofit Executive and Mother of Three Finds Marketplace Insurance Unaffordable Without EPTCs – Even for Middle Class Families with Two Working Parents

Amy is the executive director of a nonprofit, and her husband runs his own small business. Together, they’re raising three wonderful kids and navigating the daily whirlwind of school, sports, and family life. Like all families, they work hard to provide the best childhood for their kids. And like all families, they need access to healthcare.

Amy’s daughter is an avid athlete with a rare genetic disorder which requires monthly infusions, frequent visits to specialists, and multiple medications. For years, TennCare helped cover these expenses and insure the entire family. When Amy started her new job with higher pay, their family income exceeded TennCare’s eligibility limit. Their family no longer qualified for TennCare. The Tennessee Justice Center helped enroll their daughter on the TennCare Standard Medically Eligible plan, and the rest of the family was referred to the ACA Marketplace for coverage.

With Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) that help keep the Marketplace affordable, Amy’s family was able to find coverage for $875 a month. However, when Amy checked the premiums for next year without EPTCs, the cost for the same plan skyrocketed to a whopping $1,900 a month. That’s more than their mortgage.

“For a middle-class family, you should be able to afford healthcare,” Amy voices. “At $1,900 a month, we wouldn’t be able to afford that and feed our kids. I don’t think that a family should have to choose between putting food on the table, paying their mortgage, or paying for their car over health insurance.”  When EPTCs expire, Tennessee's small businesses and small nonprofits may be forced to close their doors.

Amy’s final message to lawmakers is simple: “A lot of hardworking people are in jobs that don’t offer them health insurance. People should be able to afford and have access to healthcare to keep their families safe and healthy."

EPTCs are set to expire on December 31, 2025, but there’s still time to make them permanent. Call your members of Congress at (202)224-3121 and urge them to keep healthcare affordable for families across the country.