MONTGOMERY – Several North Alabama faith leaders joined dozens of others across Alabama calling on the state’s congressional delegation to immediately vote to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits before they expire Dec. 31.
In a joint letter organized by the Cover Alabama coalition, 87 faith leaders warn that failure to act will result in catastrophic premium increases and widespread loss of health coverage for Alabama families.
The area faith leaders who signed the letter are: Rev. Dale Capron, Killen; Rev. Dale R. Cohen, Florence; Rev. DenTise Pearcey Copeland, Decatur; Rev. Annie Elliott, Decatur;
Rev. James C Fields Jr., Hanceville; Rev. Dr. Shirley Fletcher, Athens; The Rev. Robert H. Loshuertos, Huntsville; Rev. Traci Loveman, Huntsville; Rev. Rosemary McMahan, Huntsville; William O’Connell, Meridianville; Rev. Dr. Judy Mitchell Rich, Athens; Rev. Jaimie Simon, Madison; Rev Dr Shelia Woodard, Gurley.
Nearly 500,000 Alabamians are enrolled in ACA marketplace coverage for 2025, the highest in state history, according to a news release from Cover Alabama. As families choose their 2026 coverage options right now, faith leaders said Congress must provide certainty and safeguard the health of their congregations and communities, the coalition said.
“Our faith traditions teach us that every human life is sacred and that caring for the sick and vulnerable is a moral obligation,” the letter says. “Access to health care is not a privilege for the wealthy. It is a matter of justice and human dignity.”
If Congress allows the enhanced tax credits to lapse, premiums in Alabama are projected to rise by an average of 93%, according to KFF.
An estimated 130,000 Alabamians will lose their coverage entirely because they will no longer be able to afford it. A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 a year, the letter notes, would see their monthly premium skyrocket from about $600 to more than $2,600.
“These are our neighbors, church members, elders, young parents and people living with chronic health conditions,” the letter says. “Losing coverage will force them into impossible choices between paying medical bills, putting food on the table or keeping a roof overhead.”
The faith leaders said it is a moral issue, not a partisan one. They urge Alabama’s congressional delegation to act quickly and collaboratively to protect the people they were elected to serve.
“Allowing these enhanced tax credits to expire, knowing the harm it will cause, would be a profound moral failure,” the letter says. “We urge you to act now. Permanently extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits so Alabama families can continue to access the care they need to live healthy and dignified lives.”
The letter is below:
“Honorable Members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation,
“We, the undersigned pastors and faith leaders from across Alabama, write with urgency to ask you to protect the health and well-being of our congregations. Nearly 500,000 Alabamians enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans in 2025, more than any previous year. As families across our state are making decisions about their 2026 coverage right now, Congress must act quickly to pass a bipartisan bill that extends the enhanced ACA premium tax credits before the December recess.
“Our faith traditions teach us that every human life is sacred and that caring for the sick and vulnerable is a moral obligation. Access to health care is not a privilege for the wealthy. It is a matter of justice and human dignity. Families in our congregations and communities are already stretched thin. They cannot bear additional financial burdens simply to access essential medical care.
“Without action from Congress, the impact in Alabama will be severe. Premiums are projected to increase by an average of 93 percent for Alabamians. As a result, an estimated 130,000 Alabamians will lose their health coverage in 2026 because they will no longer be able to afford it. For example, a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 per year would see their monthly premium increase from about $600 per month to more than $2,600 per month.
“These are our neighbors, church members, elders, young parents and people living with chronic health conditions. Losing coverage will force them into impossible choices between paying medical bills, putting food on the table or keeping a roof overhead.
“As elected leaders, you have a responsibility to promote the common good and protect the people of Alabama. Allowing these enhanced tax credits to expire, knowing the harm it will cause to families across our state, would be a profound moral failure.
“We urge you to act now. Permanently extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits to ensure that Alabama families can continue to access the care they need to live healthy and dignified lives.”
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