If the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits are not extended, the effect on rural America will be severe and disproportionate, for both physical and mental health.

How severe? Nationally, allowing these credits to expire is expected to result in 4.8 million more uninsured individuals and dramatically lower ACA marketplace participation — by as much as 50 percent. This is especially consequential in mental health care, which depends heavily on coverage, particularly marketplace plans, which offer protections and essential benefits needed for access.

As the United States's current administration continues to try and drastically reduce the federal deficit, a local non-profit organization is worried those cuts will harm many in rural America - including here in Chautauqua County.

Rural Minds founder Jeff Winton noted that while the recently passed Continuing Resolution keeps Medicaid and Medicare at current levels, it is only guaranteed for the next six months. At the same time, the enhanced premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act marketplace - which increase the affordability of marketplace health insurance coverage - will expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress extends them.