The Republican war on health care is alive and well. Republicans in Congress have passed a budget that cuts nearly a trillion from Medicaid, ripping away coverage from millions so they can fund more tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations, including the CEOs at some of the largest drug and insurance companies. At the same time, they are trying to raise costs on millions of families by ending the cost-saving tax credits for middle-class families, setting up insurance premium increases by an average of 90 percent and allowing 5 million people to lose their health coverage. Headlines from across the nation make clear that, at a time when too many are struggling to pay the bills, Americans cannot afford Republican cuts to health care.
HEADLINES
Anchorage Daily News: Alaska Insurance Director Warns of Health Premium Increases With Federal Funding in Jeopardy.
- The Alaska Reinsurance Program was developed in response to skyrocketing rate increases that threatened to eliminate Alaska’s marketplace altogether. It has worked better than anticipated, sending the state roughly $700 million in federal funds since its inception to help keep Alaska’s already eye-watering health care costs in check.”
New Hampshire Business Review: Without Tax Credits, NH Residents Face Health Coverage ‘Subsidy Cliff.’
- “‘These credits help people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still struggle to afford coverage. If they expire, many families will see significant increases in their monthly insurance costs,’ said Phil Sletten, research director at the N.H. Fiscal Policy Institute.”
Concord Monitor: Opinion: We Must Protect the Affordable Care Act for Millions.
Jayme H. Simões is a communications professional at Louis Karno & Co. in Concord who has advised numerous public policy and nonprofit organizations.
- “Fifteen years later, the ACA remains a lifeline for millions. Now is the time to secure its success and ensure that every American has access to the care they need — today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Congress needs to act now.”
The Detroit News: Opinion: Protecting Premium Credits Keeps Health Care Affordable.
Mary Waters is a Detroit City Councilwoman.
- “The EPTC is changing lives for millions of Michigan residents and fellow Americans by helping families buy insurance at affordable costs. Without extending the EPTC, Congress will raise costs on working families and rip health care away from people at a time when they are already struggling to pay for things such as higher rents and more costly eggs. Middle-class Michiganians will bear the burden of skyrocketing costs while billionaires get unfair tax breaks.”
Charleston Gazette Mail: Opinion: Premium Tax Cuts Vital to Health Care.
Ellen Allen is executive director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care.
- “I have been on the front lines of our most vulnerable communities for almost four decades, fighting homelessness and food insecurity. I have seen first-hand the incredible impact that access to health care has, and I have seen the positive effects of these tax credits since they were enacted. Allowing these health tax credits to expire would spell disaster for almost 24 million Americans, including tens of thousands of Mountaineers.”