For months, parents and caregivers have been demanding that Congress take action to protect our health care — but Republican leaders and President Donald Trump have refused to take the health care crisis they’ve created seriously. Thankfully, on Dec. 17, four House of Representatives Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. There’s now a clear path forward to protecting affordable health care for millions of Americans.
We’re down to the wire here in the fight to lower costs and save health care for so many of us. The ACA tax credits, which make health care coverage affordable for hardworking families, are set to expire at the end of 2025. If they do, nearly 5 million people — including children and people with preexisting conditions — will lose their health care coverage altogether. Over 20 million people will see their health care costs double — or even quadruple — come Jan. 1, 2026.
The dire consequences don’t stop there. When millions become uninsured, it will strain the entire health care system, driving up costs across the board and forcing hundreds of hospitals, maternity wards and nursing homes to close. Research has found that millions of Americans will collectively pay an estimated $23 billion more next year just to maintain the same level of coverage they currently rely on. This harms the economy and families alike.
The House is going to vote on extending the ACA tax credits in January, and members have proven there’s majority support for a clean three-year extension. Protecting affordable health care for millions will then be in the hands of the U.S. Senate. Join me in urging lawmakers to finish the job: Extend the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits!
Jennifer Webster
Felton
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
