Expiration of enhanced tax credits would create multiple challenges that directly affect physicians' ability to provide quality care.

Phoenix, Arizona – The Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) represents over 13,000 physicians serving Maricopa County. As healthcare professionals committed to the health and wellbeing of our community, we feel compelled to address the significant implications of the potential expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits on December 31, 2025.

 

MCMS does not advocate specific political solutions, but we strongly encourage policymakers to recognize the healthcare implications of their decisions. Any policy changes affecting health insurance coverage should be implemented thoughtfully, with adequate transition periods and consideration for maintaining healthcare access and market stability.

 

We urge Congress and state leaders to consider the human impact of these policy decisions on Arizona families and the healthcare system that serves them. Physicians are committed to caring for all patients regardless of their insurance status, but sustainable healthcare delivery requires stable financing mechanisms that ensure both patient access and provider viability.

 

Arizona’s Current ACA Enrollment

Arizona has experienced remarkable success with ACA marketplace enrollment, with over 423,000 residents enrolled for 2025, a record high. Approximately 93% of these enrollees, representing nearly 400,000 Arizonans, receive premium tax credits that make their health insurance affordable. Enhanced tax credits, implemented in 2021, have been instrumental in expanding coverage and improving healthcare access for middle-income families, small business owners, farmers, and self-employed individuals who do not qualify for employer-sponsored insurance.

 

Projected Impact on Arizona Patients

If enhanced tax credits expire without Congressional action, Arizona families face a devastating financial impact. Premium payments are projected to more than double on average, with some families seeing increases exceeding $17,500 annually. A 60-year-old couple earning $80,000 would see their monthly premiums jump from $567 to over $2,000. These increases will force difficult choices between maintaining health coverage and other essential expenses.

The Kaiser Family Foundation projects that close to 90% of Arizona's marketplace enrollees could experience dramatic premium increases, potentially leading to widespread coverage losses. This would reverse the substantial gains in coverage that Arizona has achieved, particularly affecting our state's significant population of entrepreneurs, farmers, and independent workers.

 

Impact on Physicians and Healthcare Delivery

From a physician perspective, the expiration of enhanced tax credits would create multiple challenges that directly affect our ability to provide quality care:

• Increased Uncompensated Care: Nationally, healthcare providers face an estimated $7.7 billion increase in uncompensated care costs, with physician practices bearing approximately $1 billion of this burden. Arizona physicians will see a proportional increase in patients unable to pay for services.

• Reduced Access to Preventive Care: Historical data demonstrates that uninsured patients are significantly more likely to forego routine and preventive care. Nearly half of uninsured adults do not see a healthcare professional annually, compared to only 16% of those with private insurance. This leads to delayed diagnoses, more advanced disease presentations, and ultimately higher treatment costs.

• Emergency Department Strain: As patients lose coverage, emergency departments will likely see increased utilization for conditions that could have been managed in primary care settings, straining hospital resources and increasing overall healthcare costs.

• Practice Financial Impact: The loss of hundreds of thousands of insured patients will negatively affect physician practices' financial stability, particularly smaller practices that serve diverse patient populations. This could lead to reduced access as some practices may be forced to limit their patient panels or reduce services.

 

Community Health Implications

The potential coverage losses extend beyond individual financial hardship to broaden public health concerns. Reduced insurance coverage correlates with delayed care, worse health outcomes, and increased mortality rates. For a growing metropolitan area like Phoenix, maintaining a healthy, insured population is crucial for economic development and community prosperity.

 

The Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) stands ready to work with policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to support solutions that maintain healthcare access and promote the health of our community. Zaid Fadul, MD, MCMS Past Board President

 

About MCMS:

MCMS is Arizona oldest and most esteemed medical association. Since 1892, MCMS has remained steadfast and committed to supporting physicians across the county and state. MCMS continues to help forge connections between physicians, dignitaries, community leaders, and businesses through partnerships.

Maricopa County Medical Society: A strong, collective physician voice.

​

Media Contact:

​Edward Araujo, Director of Marketing & Communications for the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS), (602) 417-2303 or email at earaujo@mcmsonline.com.