APHA urges bipartisan effort to extend ACA subsidies after Senate rejects three-year extension

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

Statement from APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD

After today’s failure by the U.S. Senate to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, the American Public Health Association calls on Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress to work together to develop and quickly pass legislation to extend these critical subsidies that are helping more than 22 million Americans afford their health insurance. The enhanced premium tax credits have more than doubled the number of Americans who can access comprehensive coverage through the ACA Marketplace. Congress must pass an extension of the current tax credits before the end of the year. We urge the House to pass a clean three-year extension before it adjourns for the year.

It is completely unacceptable that Congress is neglecting its duty to improve the health of the American people. Rather than addressing a serious issue that has been on our radar for years, Congress, earlier this year, rejected the opportunity to extend the enhanced tax credits and instead passed legislation to gut the Medicaid program and make additional changes to the ACA that will result in 16 million Americans losing their health coverage. Failure to extend the enhanced premium tax credits will lead to nearly 5 million more individuals losing their health insurance, and millions more will face skyrocketing premiums that could double for Marketplace enrollees.

We also reject legislation that does not directly address the costs associated with insurance premiums in the Marketplace. Congress should first work in a bipartisan manner to address this immediate and solvable problem and then come together to discuss additional proposals that would further strengthen the ACA, reduce health care costs and provide comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage to all Americans.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.