Each Day Republicans Fail to Restore Tax Credits, More Wisconsinites Are Paying More or Dropping Coverage Altogether
WISCONSIN – Today, the Trump Administration released an Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment snapshot that shows 17,257 Wisconsinites are dropping coverage after Republicans ended the health care tax credits to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations – and it’s only going to get worse. Hard-working families are being forced into impossible choices: pay more for worse coverage or forgo insurance entirely.
Earlier this month, 17 House Republicans supported a clean, three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits – the only viable pathway to reverse the GOP’s premium hikes on over 21 million Americans. Now, it is up to Senate Republicans, including Senator Ron Johnson and Leader John Thune to decide whether they will lower costs and stand with the American people or continue blocking relief, make families pay the price, and stand with their billionaire donors.
In response, Protect Our Care Wisconsin Director Joe Zepecki issued a statement:
“Republicans’ health care affordability crisis is hitting Wisconsinites squarely in the wallet, families are being hit with higher premiums and forced to pay more for worse coverage — if they can keep their coverage at all. And they’re not just losing their insurance, they’re losing the ability to put food on the table, cover rent, and afford basic necessities. This pain will only compound as even more people are priced out when they can’t keep up with the skyrocketing premiums.
“Every day of delay is a deliberate choice to make this crisis worse. The solution is clear and already passed the House: a clean, three-year extension of the ACA tax credits. The only things standing in the way are Senate Republicans and Donald Trump. The responsibility now rests squarely with John Thune, who is taking his cues from Trump instead of helping working families. Thune can choose to end this crisis and lower costs for Americans or he can continue to block action, let premiums explode, and allow families to suffer.”
BACKGROUND
Enrollment declined by as much as 192,000 in states such as Georgia. Unless the Senate passes a clean, three-year extension of the ACA tax credits, the Trump-GOP premium hikes will:
Cut $30 billion from hospitals and clinics at a time when over 600+ facilities across the country are already folding under the weight of the GOP’s Medicaid cuts.
Double or triple premiums for over 20 million hardworking Americans including small business owners, farmers, and older adults.
Rip health care away from over 4 million Americans to fund tax breaks for corporations like Big Pharma and billionaires like Elon Musk.
Force middle-class families to pay $300 billion more in health care costs while CEOs and yacht owners pocket nearly $1 trillion in tax breaks.
Force one in three Americans buying health care on their own to reduce their coverage and pay thousands more each year in health care costs.
Pressure countless families to cut back on food, clothing, and other basics to afford health insurance and greater out-of-pocket costs.
