Conservatives Sound the Alarm: Averting Health Care Tax Hike Critical to Delivering on Affordability

Congress Must Find Path to Extend Health Care Tax Credits to Keep Monthly Premiums from Skyrocketing for Millions of Americans

 Conservative voices are sounding the alarm over the looming expiration of the health care tax credits, warning that millions of hardworking Americans could face skyrocketing premiums if Congress fails to act — which would severely undermine the GOP’s renewed focus on securing wins to improve affordability and the cost of living for the American people.

Results from a new battleground poll conducted by longtime Trump pollster John McLaughlin reinforce that maintaining focus on kitchen-table economic issues — especially protecting families from a looming health care tax hike by extending the critical health care tax credits that keep coverage affordable for millions of working Americans — is essential for building momentum heading into the 2026 midterms.

These tax credits make health insurance more affordable for American families, small business owners, and self-employed workers who purchase coverage through the individual marketplace.

Following the results of the November elections, the message is clear: extending these tax credits is essential both to protect family budgets and safeguard Republican majorities in the midterms. Failing to act would saddle working Americans with a massive health care tax hike — handing progressive Democrats a political gift that threatens the Trump agenda and conservative governance in Washington.

As McLaughlin recently cautioned, “While some in our party may oppose an extension of the tax credits on ideological grounds, failing to extend them puts Republican majorities – and everything that means for the Trump agenda – at grave risk.”

Without swift congressional action, marketplace enrollees face staggering premium hikes, jeopardizing coverage for millions of Americans and creating avoidable political fallout for the GOP in the 2026 midterms

But it’s not too late. Leading conservative voices are calling on Congress to act now to extend the health care tax credits. Here is what they are saying:

Larry Elder, The Larry Elder Show: “With open enrollment underway, many are already facing sticker shock. Monthly premiums are set to double for most. There is still time to act, but Congress must move now [to extend the health care tax credit]. If they don’t, they’ll hand the Democrats a political gift, one they’ll use to take back power, block the Trump agenda, and impose their woke progressive ideas on America.”

Dee Stewart, President of Americans for a Balanced Budget: “President Trump has rightly given the GOP a mandate to focus on affordability and economic prosperity for the American people. We simply cannot deliver on that mandate if millions of working Americans are hammered by a massive health care tax hike that would double their premiums, nor can we hope to retain Republican majorities in Congress in the midterm election next year. For the sake of the Trump agenda after the midterms, and for the sake of conservative governance in Washington, we must reverse this health care tax hike before it is too late.”

Trish Regan, The Trish Regan Show: “Voters must believe Republicans are delivering a better deal for their wallets. […] Congress has got to extend the critical health care reform tax credits and keep premiums affordable for working families who are buying their own coverage.”

Mike Gallagher, The Mike Gallagher Show: “Unless Congress extends key health care tax benefits, tax credits, millions who buy their own coverage are going to face skyrocketing premiums, some doubling during open enrollment. There’s still time to act. Delay would hand Democrats a gift that they will use to take back power and impose their radical progressive vision on America.”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14): “Republicans must finally come up with a plan to address affordability. Ignoring this crisis will not only leave the American people in a crisis but will likely lead to losses in the midterms. We have the majority; it’s time to solve this problem that the Democrats created.”

John McLaughlin, CEO of McLaughlin & Associates: “Our survey finds likely voters in the districts most likely to determine control of the House in next year’s midterm elections willing to move toward whichever candidate better addresses their concerns with affordability and the cost of living, particularly regarding health care costs for themselves and their families. The survey further underscores significant political downside for the Republican candidate if the health care tax credits being debated in Washington expire, and working Americans experience a significant hike to their health care costs. […] The message is clear: voters will grade the health care tax credits against the party’s performance on affordability — with significant upside to getting something done, and significant downside if they expire.”

Chris Stigall, The Chris Stigall Show: “Democrats are going to handle messaging on affordability if Republicans don’t beat them to the punch and really do something about [the health care tax credit]. So Republicans won in 2024 by standing with working Americans. They can do it again and message that they have their backs right now.”

Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02): “Not only is [Republicans allowing the health care tax credits to expire] morally bankrupt, it’s political suicide.”

Hugh Hewitt, The Hugh Hewitt Show: “You can’t blow [the individual marketplace] up and start over. […] There is a need for [the health care] tax credit. […] Republicans have to come up with an offer.”

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC): “It would be bad policy [and] bad politics to let [the tax credits] lapse.”

Read more about the urgency to avert a massive health care tax hike for millions of hardworking Americans HERE.