Groundwork’s Owens Calls Out Republicans for Playing Games with Americans’ Health Care
Groundwork’s Owens Calls Out Republicans for Playing Games with Americans' Health Care
New Groundwork Data Warns Up to 600% Spike in Health Insurance Premiums Will Hit Working-Class Americans This Fall
Today, Republicans in Congress voted to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21st. But Americans cannot afford to wait for leaders to act on the impending health insurance hike: If Congress fails to act on expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits by November 1, millions of Americans will see their health insurance premium prices skyrocket at the start of open enrollment season.
Lindsay Owens, Executive Director at Groundwork Collaborative, shared her reaction:
“Republicans in Congress would rather shut down the government than lift a finger to lower health care costs for millions of Americans. This fall, more than 20 million people are facing a massive price hike in their health insurance premiums and millions more stand to lose Medicaid coverage under the GOP’s reckless budget law.
“Republicans have an opportunity to reverse course with a bipartisan bill that brings down costs for hardworking Americans and ensures access to the life-saving care they depend on.
“Working families deserve leaders who fight to lower their costs, not politicians who play games with their lives.”
Groundwork Collaborative also released new data outlining the dramatic spike in health insurance costs if the Republicans do not reverse course. Key excerpts:
- Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period begins on November 1st, Americans covered by ACA Marketplace plans will get notices from their insurance companies notifying them of increased premiums and reduced subsidies. The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits that help 22 million Americans afford health coverage through the ACA Marketplace will hike out-of-pocket premium costs an estimated 75% on average and leave as many as 4 million Americans uninsured. Premium hikes will top 90% in many rural areas.
- For a typical family of four with a household income of $80,000, monthly premiums will increase 113%, from $263 per month to $560 per month, as a result of the expiration of enhanced subsidies.
- The lowest income Americans would face the steepest premium increase: A single adult earning $25,000 would see premiums rise by 573%.
- Even those not receiving tax credits will be impacted: insurers have signaled that they will hike gross premiums for ACA Marketplace plans by an average of 20%, the largest in six years.
- For the 160 million Americans covered by health insurance plans offered by their employers, premiums are expected to increase by 9% next year, the largest increase in 15 years. In fact, premium increases will top 10% for half of all employers.
Access the full two-pager HERE.
