MONTGOMERY – Faith leaders from across Alabama have released a joint letter calling on the state’s congressional delegation to immediately extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits before they expire on Dec. 31. The letter, organized by the Cover Alabama coalition, warns that failure to act will result in catastrophic premium increases and widespread loss of health coverage for Alabama families.
Nearly 500,000 Alabamians enrolled in ACA marketplace coverage for 2025, the highest in state history. As families choose their 2026 coverage options right now, faith leaders say Congress must provide certainty and safeguard the health of their congregations and communities.
“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 states. “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 states. “Losing coverage will force them into impossible choices between paying medical bills, putting food on the table or keeping a roof overhead.”
Faith leaders emphasize that this is not a partisan issue but a moral one. Eighty-seven faith leaders 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 full letter sent to the Alabama congressional delegation appears below. Interviews available upon request.
Letter to Alabama congressional delegation
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.
Sincerely,
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, Mobile
Rev. Renée R. Adams, Tuskegee
Rodney L Arnold, Millbrook
Carlie Baird, Tuscaloosa
Ola Ball, Brewton
Ms. Marcia Bentley, Birmingham
Rev. Tina Betts, Pike Road
The Rev. William S. Blackerby, Jr., Birmingham
Darlene Burt, Prattville
Rev. Sarah Calhoun, Phenix City
Rev. Leonard Cammack, Montgomery
Rev. Dale Capron, Killen
Donald R. Clemons, Montgomery
Rev. Dale R. Cohen, Florence
Episcopal Priest Judith Comer, Daphne
Rev. Julie Conrady, Hoover
Rev. DenTise Pearcey Copeland, Decatur
Dr. Shompa Datta, Tuscaloosa
J. Day, Hoover
Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn L. Denson, Andalusia
Reverend Lucas Dorion, Hoover
Scott Douglas, Birmingham
Mrs. Lynn N. Douglas, Birmingham
Reverend Johnny M. Doyle, III, Daphne
Sophronia Drummond, Phenix City
Rev. Annie Elliott, Decatur
Rev. James C Fields Jr., Hanceville
Leevones G Fisher, Mobile
Rev. Dr. Shirley Fletcher, Athens
Rev. Deanne Ford, Hoover
Rev. Carolyn Foster, Birmingham
Sharon Freeman, Northport
Rev. Loretta Moore Fuller, Opelika
Dr. Gary Furr, Hoover
The Rev. Eugenia A. Gamble, Dauphin Island
Rev. Valtoria Garnier Jackson, RN, MDiv, Montgomery
Rev. Andy Gartman, Wilmer
Chaplain John W Gregory, Leeds
Reverend Samuel Grimes Jr., Fort Mitchell
Rev. Mae Pearl Hall-Clark, Tuskegee
Rev. Dr. Terry Hamilton-Poore, Birmingham
Rev. Caitlin Harper, Birmingham
Sandra Harris, Evergreen
Rabbi Steven Henkin, Birmingham
Minister Patricia Howard, Autaugaville
Rev. Dr. Dollie Howell Pankey, Birmingham
Dr. Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham
Rev. Shane Isner, Montgomery
Pastor Matthew V. Johnson Sr., PhD., Birmingham
Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Kelley, Birmingham
Sister Deborah Kennedy, RSM, Mobile
William Kyles, East Brewton
Sister Jackie Lee, Evergreen
The Rev. Robert H. Loshuertos, Huntsville
Reverend Traci Loveman, Huntsville
Agnes Lover, Montgomery
Rev. Rick Malugani, Pelham
Albert Manzella, Birmingham
Rev. Rosemary McMahan, Huntsville
Reverend Elizabeth McCaskill, Evergreen
Cara McClure, Birmingham
Sister Kathleen Navarra, SSJ, Selma
William O’Connell, Meridianville
Dr. Mary Ann Plant, Hoover
Pastor Charles Poole, Birmingham
Rev. Dr. Kathy Wolf Reed, Auburn
Rev. Dr. Judy Mitchell Rich, Athens
Ms. Nancy M. Sales, Birmingham
Rev. Melissa Self Patrick, Montevallo
Rev. Jaimie Simon, Madison
Rev. Harold Simpson, Montgomery
Alan D. Singleton, Mobile
Ms. Angela R Smith, Prattville
Rev. E. Tramaine Solomon, Anniston, AL
Dr. Mwana Strickland, Wetumpka
Rev. Dale Tadlock, M. Div., Hoover, AL
Rev. Anthony Thames, Evergreen
Sharon Thames, Evergreen
Pastor Frederick Thompson, Mobile
Rhoda Vanderhart, Mobile
Gloria Warren, Greenville
Pastor Dr.Clementine Warren, Phenix City
Rev. Dr. Letitia Watford, Montgomery
Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall, Birmingham
Nancy Whitt, Birmingham
Pastor Richard Williams, Montgomery
Rev Dr Shelia Woodard, Gurley
Media Release/Whitney Washington/Cover Alabama Coalition
