Tens of thousands of Montanans are poised to see sharp spikes in health insurance costs should federal lawmakers decide not to renew a pandemic-era program designed to keep premium prices in check for lower-income earners.

That was the spirit of a letter sent last month by state insurance regulators including Montana State Auditor James Brown to leaders in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. It voiced support for reupping the enhanced premium tax credits — currently set to expire at the end of this year — in order to keep health insurance plans sold on the federal marketplace affordable for consumers.

“Without an extension of the enhanced tax credits in September, insurers and marketplaces will begin to notify over 20 million consumers in all 50 states of major premium increases in a mat

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