November 14, 2025
Shut Down Ends
After 41 days of government shutdown, the Senate passed legislation to fund and reopen the federal government on Monday, November 10. The House passed the bill, and President Trump signed it into law on Wednesday, November 12.
While this brings relief, kidney patients need to understand what's included—and what's missing—as it could dramatically impact healthcare costs in 2026.
What's In the Deal: Wins
- Short-term government funding through January 30, 2026
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP—formerly food stamps) fully funded through September 2026
Why SNAP Matters for Kidney Patients
Getting food stamp benefits back is really important for kidney patients who need help buying healthy foods to manage diabetes and high blood pressure. During the shutdown, many patients who rely on SNAP saw their benefits reduced or eliminated entirely. NKF is a strong advocate for robust SNAP funding and will continue to monitor to ensure our patients are getting the benefits they need.
Has this impacted you? Let us know!
What's In the Deal: The Major Loss
Enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, instituted in 2021, were left out of the deal, which means more than 20 million Americans will see big premium increases starting in 2026. Many kidney patients have already been notified of higher premiums for 2026 during the current open enrollment period. Early insurer filings show an additional 4% premium increase due to the expected credit expiration.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Crisis Ahead
Enhanced premium tax credits expire December 31, 2025.
Without extension, marketplace enrollees face:
- 114% average premium increase—an extra $1,016 per year
- 1.7 million people with chronic conditions projected to lose ACA coverage
- Kidney care, including specialist visits, prescription medications, and regular lab work, will become much harder to afford
What's next: The reopening package includes a promise that the Senate will vote in December on ACA funding. Still, there is no similar guarantee in the House, and even holding a vote does not guarantee the proposal will pass.
NKF continues to advocate for a permanent extension of the enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits for the ACA. Tell your Lawmakers why this is important to you.
Telehealth Impact
The shutdown continues to disrupt Medicare telehealth payments, adding complexity for kidney disease management.
However, kidney patients kept key protections:
- Home dialysis patients maintained telehealth access
- Rural patients retained access at approved medical sites
NKF continues to advocate for permanent access to telehealth for all patients. Contact your Members of Congress and tell them to make telehealth permanent!
What Kidney Patients Should Do
- Check out your 2026 health insurance options during open enrollment (ends January 15). You can use online calculators to see how premium changes might affect your costs
- Use NKF's action alert to tell your lawmakers why affordable health insurance matters for kidney patients
The government reopening provides immediate relief, but further action by Congress, including the December ACA vote, will determine whether millions of kidney patients can afford comprehensive coverage in 2026.
SNAP benefits are fully restored, giving kidney patients better access to healthy foods through September 2026.
Major ACA premium hikes are still likely, as enhanced tax credits were not included in the deal—meaning coverage may become much more expensive in 2026.
Telehealth protections for home dialysis and rural patients remain, but disruptions continue, and long-term access is still not guaranteed.
Your Voice Matters
Take Action today to make sure YOUR lawmakers know that these issues matter to you!
