WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Co-Chair Lori Trahan (MA-03) released new data from the Massachusetts Health Connector and the House Budget Committee revealing the devastating impact of Republican health care policies that are driving up costs and stripping health coverage from hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.
“Massachusetts families should never have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their health care coverage,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “But that’s exactly what will happen if President Trump and Congressional Republicans refuse to act. The data is clear: costs are skyrocketing, hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters are at risk of losing coverage, and families are already receiving notices warning them of higher premiums before open enrollment even begins. We owe it to hardworking families to protect their health care, and I won’t stop fighting until we do.”
Earlier this year, Republicans in Congress passed the One Big, Ugly Bill that cut $1 trillion from Medicaid, the single largest cut to Americans’ health care in history. Despite repeated warnings that the bill would cause 15 million Americans to lose coverage, gut hospital budgets, and force seniors out of assisted living facilities, Donald Trump signed the bill into law.
Now, Trump and Congressional Republicans are refusing to work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits, which help millions of Americans afford lifesaving health care coverage. These credits are set to expire in December, but families are already receiving notices about skyrocketing premiums ahead of open enrollment in November.
Together, these GOP policy choices have created a health care crisis for hardworking families across the country. In Massachusetts:
240,224 residents will lose health coverage, including 65,400 due to the expiring ACA tax credits.
337,000 residents will see their health care costs increase without an extension of the ACA credits.
A 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 will see their annual premiums increase by more than $14,100.
A family of four earning $64,000 will see their premiums rise by more than $2,500.
A family of four earning $129,800 will see their premiums increase by more than $9,200.
Without immediate action by Congress, millions of Americans could drop their health coverage because of unaffordable price hikes. Congresswoman Trahan has returned to Washington alongside House and Senate Democrats who are demanding that Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson negotiate a bipartisan agreement to protect Americans’ health care.
