Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Health Insurance Costs from Soaring for 24 Million Americans
As the year draws to a close, a critical deadline looms that could dramatically increase health insurance costs for 24 million Americans. Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) is urging bipartisan cooperation to avert a potential crisis set to unfold on December 31st, emphasizing the same collaborative spirit recently demonstrated in passing the “Hospital at Home” bill.
“Hospital at Home” Program Renewed, But Another Challenge Emerges
On December 15, 2025, Congressman Evans welcomed the House of Representatives’ passage of a five-year renewal for the “Hospital at Home” program. This initiative, established in November 2020 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), allows hospitals greater flexibility in providing care to patients in their homes. According to the American Hospital Association, the program has proven effective in reducing costs, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the patient experience. A recent CMS report further supports these findings, demonstrating that at-home care can accelerate recovery, lower mortality rates, and minimize the risk of hospital-acquired infections and falls.
“I’m pleased that we were able to get a bill to renew the vital ‘Hospital at Home’ program for five years through the deeply divided House,” Evans stated. “It’s a common-sense bill that helps thousands of patients to receive better care from more than 200 hospitals around the country, including some patients in the Philadelphia area – and it saves money.”
Tax Credit Expiration Threatens Affordable Coverage
Despite this bipartisan success, a separate and equally pressing issue demands immediate attention. Tax credits that currently make health insurance affordable for 24 million Americans are set to expire at the end of the year. If these credits are allowed to lapse, the consequences could be severe.
“Now we need the Republican majorities in the House and Senate to bring that same spirit of cooperation to another health-care issue,” Evans implored. “We need them to share the sense of urgency that Democrats in Congress already have about preventing a massive cost spike about two weeks from now for health coverage that 24 million Americans count on.”
Specifically, an estimated 150,000 Pennsylvanians could be forced to drop their health insurance coverage, while another 350,000 would face substantial premium increases. Evans insists this outcome is preventable.
Path Forward: A Discharge Petition and Calls for Swift Action
To address the impending crisis, Evans is advocating for a discharge petition – a procedural maneuver to force a House vote on extending the tax credits. He highlighted the success of a similar tactic used recently to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“We just need four House Republicans to join us in signing a discharge petition to force a House vote on extending these tax credits for working-class Americans,” Evans explained. “This is the same procedure we successfully used a few weeks ago to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Similarly, health care can’t wait!”
Evans also criticized the perceived inaction, contrasting it with the swift passage of a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans earlier in the year. “Working Americans need congressional Republicans to act on these health-care tax credits with the same speed they displayed earlier this year, when Republicans rushed a tax cut for the richest into law,” he said.
Addressing Republican Concerns
Evans directly addressed common arguments against renewing the tax credits, clarifying that they were initially proposed by President Biden in 2019 – well before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also dismissed concerns about fraud, particularly in states like Pennsylvania that operate their own health insurance exchanges through platforms like Pennie.com.
However, Evans acknowledged the need for scrutiny regarding past conduct, stating, “The Trump administration does need to explain why it reinstated 850 agents and brokers who had been suspended from Affordable Care Act enrollment for suspected fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or plan switches.”
Ultimately, Evans emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The bottom line is: Congress needs to renew these health-care tax credits – NOW!” he declared.
Congressman Evans’ Commitment to Constituents
Representing Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Philadelphia, Evans has a proven track record of advocating for his constituents. In 2024 alone, his office returned or saved $4.5 million for individuals facing issues with federal agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs. This brings his total to over $45.5 million returned or saved for constituents throughout his eight years in Congress.
Evans serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and its Subcommittee on Health, giving him a key role in shaping policies related to Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and trade. More information about his work can be found on his website: evans.house.gov and on social media: @RepDwightEvans on X.
