5 days ago
Proposed health care cuts threaten thousands of Rhode Islanders. We must protect their coverage.
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These tax credits go to 40,000 working class Rhode Islanders who earn just a little bit too much to qualify for Medicaid, do not get health insurance through work, and do not earn nearly enough to afford good health insurance in the marketplace. When the enhanced tax credits expire, these former recipients will see their premiums jump by an average of 85 percent — but some will face even bigger rate hikes.
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For example, a 45-year-old working 30 hours a week making minimum wage would see her monthly premium increase by 387 percent. A couple, both age 64, making $85,000 combined would see their monthly premium jump from $602 to $1,992 — meaning they would be paying 28 percent of their income just to enroll in coverage.
When health insurance becomes this expensive, people drop it. They skip preventive care, delay treatment, and risk financial ruin from unexpected medical bills. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that
That's why we've introduced the
We know this won't solve every challenge in our health care system. But at a time when dysfunction in Washington threatens to undermine hard-won progress, Rhode Island has an opportunity to protect tens of thousands of our residents from dramatic increases in their health insurance costs.
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These are our neighbors, our co-workers, our family members. They deserve to know that their state has their back.
We urge our colleagues in the General Assembly — and Rhode Islanders across the state — to support the Individual Market Affordability Act. And we thank the
Because when everyone has access to health care, we're all stronger for it.
State Representative June S. Speakman represents District 68 in Warren and Bristol. Senator Pamela J. Lauria represents District 32 in Barrington, Bristol, and East Providence. They are the sponsors of the Individual Market Affordability Act.
