Elfreth Highlights Local Impacts of Government Shutdown Negotiations & ACA Tax Credits in Glen Burnie
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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, Senator Pamela Beidle (District 32), and Delegate Dana Jones (District 30A) gathered at Chase Brexton Health Care’s Glen Burnie Center to discuss the impacts on Maryland if Congress does not act to address our nation’s looming health care crisis and extend the ACA tax credits. Congressional Democrats are currently pushing for a bipartisan budget bill to reopen the government and extend these ACA tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.
“While House Republicans have been home for four weeks, Democrats have been ready to negotiate a bipartisan budget deal. As our constituents receive notices of their health care premiums increasing, Congress must act to reopen the government, extend the ACA tax credits, and protect the health care of millions of Americans – including 190,000 Marylanders,” saidCongresswoman Elfreth.
“The people who come through the doors of this community health center need and are provided affordable, quality health care. They need to know that when they get sick, when their child develops a fever, when they need preventive care, they can see a doctor without bankrupting their family. But right now, that security hangs in the balance,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman said of the risk of Americans losing Affordable Care Act subsidies at the center of the federal government shutdown. She added, “at a time when costs are rising across the board, at the grocery store, for housing, for energy, making health insurance more unaffordable is unconscionable. Extending these subsidies is an easy, straightforward way for the federal government to ensure that health care costs don't spiral out of control for everyday working families.”
“Today's visit underscores the critical importance of affordable health care, and the urgent need for Congressional Republicans to restore healthcare funding. The impact of their refusal to prioritize working families is not just numbers on a page; it is thousands of children, neighbors, and friends in our communities whose premiums will double or, worse, be forced off their insurance. Democrats in the State House will do everything we can to keep costs low and prioritize Maryland families, and I'm hopeful Congressional Republicans will decide to join us,” said Delegate Jones.
Approximately 190,000 Marylanders receive assistance from the expanded ACA tax credits. If these ACA tax credits expire, these Marylanders would see an average premium increase of 95% without the state subsidy. For example, a 40-year-old single person in Maryland earning $31,300 annually would pay on average a $173 premium per month – a 227% percent increase – if the credits expire. A family of 4 in Maryland, with adults aged 45 and 43, that makes $80,375 combined annually, would pay an average $568 per month – a 110% increase – if the credits expire.
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