‘Conservatives' Rally For Continuation Of Enhanced Obamacare Premium Credits

By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix

August 8, 2025

Championing access to affordable health care is an issue that some identify as left-leaning, especially in a Republican-dominated state like Florida.

But it’s not.

With the enhanced advanced premium tax credits for so-called “Obamacare” plans set to expire at the end of this year, the public relations firm Red Hills Consulting created “Florida Conservatives for Affordable Health Care.”

The firm is launching a letter-writing campaign with the goal of encouraging Florida’s congressional delegation to support extension of the enhanced premium tax credits that help millions of Florida residents purchase Obamacare health plans.

“Florida Conservatives for Affordable Health Care is a campaign to raise awareness about the enhanced premium tax credits and the devastating consequences to our state if Congress allows them to expire at the end of this year,” Amanda Bevis, representing the effort, said.

Since its passage in 2020, the ACA has included advanced premium tax credits to help offset the costs of health insurance policies sold through the federal health exchange (healthcare.gov) for people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level — which in 2025 was $126,800 for a family of four.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Congress increased the subsidies and allowed people who earn more than 400% of the poverty level to qualify. Congress the following year extended the enhanced tax credits through the end of 2025.

To date, Congress has not agreed to extend the credits. This new organization would like to see that change.

“Tax credits help small business owners afford coverage so they can focus on growing their business, creating jobs, and investing in Florida’s economy,” the group’s website says. “If they expire, Florida could lose $5.5 billion in state GDP and 49,000 jobs.”

The numbers are large because Florida leads the nation in the number of people who purchase insurance through the federal exchange.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data from March show that of the 4.7 million Florida residents with an Obamacare plan in 2025, 4.6 million receive advanced premium tax credits. Because of those credits, 2.3 million enrollees pay less than $10 a month for their health insurance. On average, the data show, the monthly Obamacare premium in Florida is $67.

Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas (all of which have lower Obamacare enrollment) have lower average monthly premiums.

Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP) says if the enhanced premium tax credits are eliminated there would be a 75% increase in health insurance costs for ACA enrollees in families who earn more than 400% of the poverty level. That means a family of four earning more than $126,000 could wind up with a $9,000 a year premium increase. FHJP believes health care is a “human right” and advocates, educates, and, when necessary, litigates for its cause.

Meanwhile, FCAHC plans a roundtable discussion next week in Tallahassee to highlight the importance of the credits to Florida’s economy.

The event will feature Associated Industries of Florida President and CEO Brewster Bevis, Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of Florida Association of Community Health Centers Jonathan Chapman, and President and CEO of the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Julio Fuentes.

“More than 4.6 million Floridians depend on the tax credits to help pay for their private health care coverage, and if Congress does not act to extend them, Floridians will lose access to care and our economy will suffer. This roundtable is an opportunity for a wide range of voices to share their perspectives,” FCAHC’s Amanda Bevis said.

The Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news site that’s free of advertising and free to readers, covers state government and politics through a mix of in-depth stories, briefs, and social media updates on the latest events, editorial cartoons, and progressive commentary. The Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.