With Open Enrollment Ongoing, More than 60,000 Montanans, Including Cancer Patients and Survivors, are Faced with Skyrocketing Premiums for 2026

The following is a release from the American Cancer Society.

HELENA, Mont. – October 31, 2025 – Open Enrollment for the health insurance Marketplace opens November 1st and because Congress still has not extended the enhanced premium tax credits, tens of thousands of Montanans, including cancer patients and survivors, are facing significant premium increases.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has long advocated for Congress to extend the enhanced health care tax credits, which help make comprehensive health insurance more affordable for 24 million people across the country who buy coverage through the Marketplaces, including 66,000 Montana residents who get their coverage through healthcare.gov. If Congress allows the enhanced tax credits to expire, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that 4.2 million people will become uninsured nationwide.

Katharine Sutphen, Montana government relations director for ACS CAN, released the following statement:

“Nearly everyone with Marketplace health insurance will face a significant increase in their costs for next year, but the spikes for those who rely on the enhanced premium tax credits will be massive. These increases will put quality, affordable coverage out of reach for many Montanans. For cancer patients in active treatment, a loss of coverage would be life-threatening.

“Research clearly shows that having health insurance is one of the most significant factors in surviving a cancer diagnosis. Without access to the care needed to get well and stay well, people will live sicker and die sooner.

“Congress still has a chance to make this right and find a pathway to extend the tax credits before it’s too late. Our congressional delegation needs to know that lives depend on it.”

 About ACS CAN

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.