While Democrats Fight to Make Premium Tax Credits Permanent, MAGA Republicans Work to Hike Costs on Middle-Class Families
Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Lauren Underwood released letters calling on Congressional leadership to make enhanced premium tax credits permanent. The Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits have contributed to the record-low uninsurance rate, leading approximately 10 million more people to gain coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This has especially helped those who have historically lacked access to coverage: people of color, women, those who live in rural areas, people in states that have refused to expand Medicaid, and those in states with especially high health care costs. Currently, a family of four is saving an average of $2,400 per year on their premiums thanks to the tax credits. If Congress fails to act, premiums will skyrocket for nearly 20 million people, jeopardizing coverage for millions. The letters were signed by 41 Senators and 154 Members of Congress. Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“Everybody in this country deserves affordable health care. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Lauren Underwood are leading the charge to keep health care affordable for middle-class families across the nation. Nearly 20 million people are counting on these tax credits to afford their health care, but Republicans want to let them expire and raise health care costs across the board. Not only do they want ACA premiums to skyrocket, but they are trying to rip away protections for pre-existing conditions, hike prescription drug prices for seniors, and put drug and insurance companies back in charge at the expense of hardworking families. At a time when more people are relying on the ACA than ever before, we cannot go back.”