U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Peter Welch (D-VT-AL), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), State and Local Officials, Health Care Advocates Headlined Events in Key States
This month, Protect Our Care continued to host events across the country to discuss ongoing efforts to drive down health care costs and expand access to quality coverage for millions of Americans. A record 14.5 million people signed up for coverage under Affordable Care Act marketplaces thanks in large part to the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced tax credits, which saved families hundreds of dollars on their monthly health care costs. However, unless Congress extends these health care premium reductions, millions of Americans will see dramatic increases in their 2023 health insurance premiums, and many will no longer be able to afford insurance at all.
Protect Our Care held events with Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Peter Welch (D-VT-AL), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), state and local officials, and health care storytellers to discuss the urgent need for Congress to extend the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits and highlight recent efforts to pass legislation to prevent premiums from skyrocketing at the end of this year.
NATIONAL
On Tuesday, May 24, U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care to discuss the urgent need for Congress to extend the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits. Watch the full event here.
“My legislation has lowered annual premium costs by an average of $2,400 per family for Affordable Care Act plans, and a record 14.5 million Americans enrolled in coverage for this year. This is historic financial relief at a time when people need it the most. But if we don’t act now, to extend these savings, families will see sharp, unacceptable premium increases in 2023,” said Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14). “This provision already passed the House of Representatives in November, uniting our Democratic caucus around the shared conviction that every American deserves access to high quality, affordable health care. It is time for the Senate to join us and deliver on this promise to the American people.”
“If these subsidies go away, the price increases on health care will be brutal for families, brutal for employers, and brutal for our communities,” said Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL). “We can’t pull the rug out from under families and allow huge increases to the cost of health care when families are struggling to afford other essentials, like groceries and gasoline. We have to maintain these essential subsidies and maintain the health care security Vermont’s families need.”
COVERAGE:
- Chicago Sun Times: Rep. Lauren Underwood leading drive to bolster swing district Democrats on Obamacare subsidies
FLORIDA
On Thursday, May 19, Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) joined Protect Our Care Florida to discuss a new report that shows the premium tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan have made health coverage more affordable for Floridians. Watch the full event here.
“Healthcare is a right in my view and the costs we have to pay for healthcare in America is absurd,” said Representative Crist. “I think that any opportunity we have to be able to reduce the burden of healthcare on American citizens and in particular Floridians that we care most about is essential for us to pursue.”
COVERAGE:
- Florida Politics: Expiration of public health emergency, enhanced tax credits could surge state’s uninsured rolls
NEW HAMPSHIRE
On Wednesday, May 18, a group of public health experts joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to discuss a new report that shows the premium tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan have made health coverage more affordable for NH residents. Watch the full event here.
“We’ve extended eligibility for premium credits to reach more people with higher incomes so that they don’t have to feel the brunt of these escalating health costs. This Administration has been incredibly supportive in making sure that open enrollment is possible, subsidies are possible, and other cost sharing support is possible, and help is on the way. We really need those subsidies, especially as we begin to face the unwind from the protective Medicaid program during the public health emergency,” said Lucy C. Hodder, Director, Health Law and Policy at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law.
OHIO
On Friday, March 11, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) and health care experts and advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to discuss the urgent importance of and opportunities to lower health care costs for Ohioans. Watch the full event here.
“Health care is about dignity. Whether you’re a farmer, a trucker, a construction worker, a cashier, or a teacher, you deserve the quality, affordable health care coverage to help you when you get sick or injured,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. More than one million Ohioans live with diabetes, but outrageous pharmaceutical pricing of insulin leads so many to ration their supplies. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would ensure Ohioans are able to live the full and healthy lives they deserve.”
COVERAGE:
- WTOL (CBS): Lower Health Care of Ohio Discussion Today
- WTOL (CBS): Lowering Health Care Costs for Ohioans
WEST VIRGINIA
On Thursday, May 19, Health care advocates joined Protect Our Care West Virginia to discuss a new report that shows the premium tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan have made health coverage more affordable for West Virginians. Watch the full event here.
“People are making a lot of hard decisions due to inflation affecting every part of our lives,” said Delegate Shawn Fluharty. “No American family or West Virginia family should ever have to choose between having healthcare or putting food on the table, and that’s exactly where we will be if the Advanced Premium Tax Credits are allowed to expire. The impact would be insurmountable for many West Virginians.”
