WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that 78% of Americans – including majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – support extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits which allow tens of millions of Americans to access health care.
“Unless Republicans come to the table to negotiate, health care premiums for 270,000 Wisconsinites will double in the new year,” said Senator Baldwin. “This proves exactly what I have been telling anyone who will listen: Americans don’t want their health care costs doubled or their insurance stripped away. Wisconsinites want the lower costs that Donald Trump promised, but time and time again, he’s come up short on that promise. I’m at the table, ready to work with anyone who will help me deliver the breathing room Wisconsin families need in their budgets.”
Key findings:
- 78% of the public say they want Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits available to people with low and moderate incomes to make the health coverage purchased through the ACA’s Marketplace more affordable.
- 59% of Republicans and 57% of “Make America Great Again” supporters favor extending the tax credits which otherwise would expire at the end of the year.
- 70% of Americans who purchase their own insurance say they would not be able to afford a doubling in their premiums without significantly disrupting their household finances.
- 42% of Marketplace enrollees say they would go without health insurance coverage if the amount they had to pay for health insurance each month nearly doubled.
If Republicans take the enhanced premium tax breaks away from Americans, annual premiums will more than double for ACA Marketplace enrollees on average. Without extension of these tax credits, four million Americans could lose their coverage and 22 million more could see significantly higher premiums.
Today, Senator Baldwin voted for the fourth time to keep the government open, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Every single Senate Republican voted against the measure. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.
Earlier this week, Senator Baldwin held a virtual press conference with two Wisconsin constituents who shared how expiring tax credits for their Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage will jack up their costs and make it harder for them to make ends meet.
An online version of this release is available here.
