BISMARCK — North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread says Congress must act soon to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits — an issue at the core of the current federal government shutdown.

The ACA tax credits help keep approximately 34,000 North Dakotans’ health insurance premiums affordable, Godfread told the Tribune on Monday.

Those who purchase insurance from the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace do not receive coverage through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid or Tricare. In North Dakota, this includes many small business owners, farmers and ranchers, according to Godfread.

The tax credits are set to lapse at the end of December. If that happens, health insurance premiums of those using the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace to purchase their health insurance will

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