Protect affordable health coverage for Logan’s small businesses

In Cache Valley, our strength lies in the people who call this place home. That includes the small business owners who unlock their storefronts each morning, the gig workers balancing various jobs, and the early retirees who continue to give back to our community in countless ways.

As President and CEO of the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce, I have the privilege of working on behalf of these individuals every day. They’re the lifeblood of our community and local economy. A concern I hear more and more from them is the rising cost of health insurance.

That’s why I’m speaking out in support of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, a vital but often overlooked policy that has made health coverage more affordable for thousands of our neighbors.

Since 2021, these federal health care tax credits have helped lower monthly premiums for people who purchase health insurance through the individual Marketplace. But unless Congress acts, these credits are set to expire at the end of this year. If that happens, health insurance premiums in Utah could rise by an average of 299% — an increase of more than $19,000 per year for some families. For those already stretched thin, that’s simply not feasible.

These tax credits have been a lifeline for those without access to employer-sponsored coverage. Those who benefit include small business owners, self-employed contractors, gig workers, part-time employees, and pre-retirees. In Cache County alone, nearly 13,000 residents rely on the credits to lower their monthly health insurance premiums. Across Utah, that number tops 350,000.

These aren’t just numbers. These are the hardworking members of the community I meet every day. Many of them wouldn’t be able to afford health coverage without the tax credits.

From vendors at the Cache County Fair, to tech consultants and musicians performing at summer concerts, our economy depends on a dynamic mix of workers. Historic downtown Logan, with its family-run shops and restaurants, showcases just how vital independent entrepreneurs are to Cache Valley’s identity and vibrancy.

These same workers often lack access to traditional benefits and rely on the individual Marketplace for health insurance. The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits put that coverage within reach, giving those workers the freedom to participate in community life and local commerce without risking their health or financial future.

If Congress lets these tax credits expire, the consequences won’t be limited to our community. Utah stands to lose nearly 3,000 jobs and more than $335 million spent in the state. Those losses would ripple across communities like ours, affecting everything from hiring and retention to consumer spending and public services.

We’ve made real progress in expanding access to affordable health insurance. Letting these credits expire would reverse those gains, forcing people to delay care, drop insurance, or make painful trade-offs between health and basic expenses like housing, groceries, or child care.

For countless small businesses, the credits have helped level the playing field. So many small-scale employers want to provide health benefits but can’t afford the overhead. These tax credits give workers the ability to access coverage on their own, while allowing business owners to focus on growing their businesses.

This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a practical one. Here in Logan and across Cache Valley, we believe in supporting those who work hard. Preserving these tax credits means helping our friends and neighbors.

I urge Congress to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits before the end of the year.

Jamie Andrus is President and CEO of the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce.