Extend ACA Subsidies That Keep Health Care Affordable for Millions of Americans

Hi everyone,

As part of the American Rescue Act of 2020, Congress increased the ACA Marketplace premium tax credits to ensure that Americans had access to affordable health insurance during the Pandemic. In 2022, Congress extended these enhanced tax credits through the end of 2025 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

One thing that health care advocates were hoping to see in Trump's Big Beautiful Bill was an extension of these tax credits. By not including them in the bill, the Republicans have now put millions of Americans' health care in jeopardy as well as posing a serious threat to our public hospitals that depend on that revenue to maintain proper staffing levels for their patients.

What working families and public hospitals will face:

Without the subsidies many individual families will face higher monthly premiums for their health insurance. For example, a family of four making $85,000 would see an additional $313 in premiums for coverage in 2026, and a $900 increase in their out-of-pocket expenses. And individuals earning more than four times the federal poverty level will lose eligibility for subsidies, meaning they will have to pay full price for their plans.

Without a permanent extension, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the number of uninsured people will rise by 2.2 million in 2026, and by 3.7 million in 2027.

And as Martha Baker, President of SEIU Local 1991 said this week at our Labor Day press conference, the cuts will also affect our public hospitals, like Jackson Memorial Hospital which anticipates a 100 million dollar annual loss if the subsidies are not extended. This loss means drastic staffing cuts, putting more patients at risk.

To keep this coverage affordable, preserve historic coverage gains made in recent years, and prevent millions of Americans from being uninsured, Congress needs to extend these subsidies NOW! The health of millions of Americans depend on it!

Please see the attached flier that SEIU 1991 put together so that we can all make calls to our members of the South Florida Congressional Delegation and tell them that time is running out, and they need to act NOW to extend the exchange for the Affordable Care Act. Please share this email and flier with your members! And let's flood their offices with calls!

In Solidarity,

Jeffery Mitchell
President, South Florida AFL-CIO