Shaheen Statement on Senate Democrats’ Plan to Protect ACA Tax Credits, Lower Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), author of bicameral legislation that would permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, released the following statement on Senate Democrats’ plan to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing:

“I have been sounding the alarm for more than a year on the need to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits tens of millions of Americans rely on to afford health insurance – and I have warned time and again how catastrophic the consequences will be if my Republican colleagues allow the credits to expire. With premiums set to double in a matter of weeks, there is no other alternative: Congress must extend this lifeline for working families. That’s exactly what this bill would do by providing the certainty of these tax credits for another three years.

“76 percent of Americans who benefit from these tax credits live in states President Trump won last year. 56 percent of them live in Republican-controlled Congressional districts. I encourage my Republican colleagues—many of whom I believe want to get this done—to join Democrats in advancing a proposal to ensure our constituents can afford their health insurance.

“This is not about achieving a political victory for one party or the other – it's about coming together to act in the best interest of the American people. Right now, our constituents are making abundantly clear that the cost of living is far too high and that they want to see action from Washington. Should Republicans let partisan politics stand in the way, the onus is on them to explain why they chose to raise health care costs on their constituents at a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet.”

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