It’s official: If you’re a billionaire or corporation, Republicans will blow up the national debt and gut essential programs to give you a tax cut. But if you’re a working parent or small business owner, they’ll shut down the government to block yours.
The seasons may change but the misplaced priorities remain the same:
SUMMER: President Trump and Congressional Republicans gutted Medicaid and added trillions to the national debt in order to give $4.6 trillion in tax cuts to the rich and corporations.
FALL: Now, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are shutting down the federal government instead of extending the enhanced premium tax credits that help individuals and small business owners afford health insurance. It’s a new low.
OUT IN THE COLD: Individuals and small business owners are facing exponential increases in their health insurance premiums starting Nov. 1. That’s on top of the already rising costs of care, hospital closures, and reduction in services nationwide.
Earlier this week, Fair Share America and Protect Our Care held a press call featuring Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18) and Wisconsin small business owner Kyle LaFond to discuss the importance of the enhanced premium tax credits for everyday Americans and small business owners. Watch the briefing video here.
VIEW FROM THE STATES
Arkansas: Democrat Gazette – Arkansas health insurers seek average premium hike of 22.1% as 2026 open enrollment approaches
Connecticut: CT Mirror – Expiring federal health subsidies could cost CT $295M to make up
Delaware: WHYY – Delaware leads coalition of states pushing Congress to approve extending government health care subsidies
Maryland: Maryland Matters – Health advocates, state officials brace for ‘sticker shock’ if ACA tax credits expire
Maine: Maine Public – Advocates warn Mainers will see health premium hikes unless Congress extends subsidies
Minnesota: Minnesota Reformer – Health insurance premiums will rise 50% for 89,000 MNsure recipients — unless Congress takes action
Pennsylvania: WPSU – “We anticipate rate increases of 82% or more for a lot of the enrollees on Pennie, just because that subsidy helped them pay for their insurance coverage.”
Rhode Island: Providence Statesman Journal: Double-digit increases to insurance premiums coming to nearly 175,000 in RI.
Tennessee: The Tennesseean – How increased healthcare costs threaten to silence TN’s music industry
Virginia: The Virginian-Pilot – Expiration of EPTCs would raise health care costs for Virginians
West Virginia: The State Journal – Nearly 50,000 West Virginians could face soaring health premiums if tax credit expires
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