Donald Trump is still working on the concepts of a healthcare plan. Senate Democrats, now in the minority in the senior chamber, have a plan in place.
The question: can they get Republicans to sign on?
(The answer: probably not.)
The Health Care Affordability Act, introduced last week, would lower healthcare costs for millions of Americans and make permanent the current enhanced Premium Tax Credits for Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.
The PTCs were created in the Affordable Care Act and enhanced under the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Problem is, they are set to expire at the end of this year, which would increase health insurance costs for more than 20 million Americans.
The Health Care Affordability Act would make the enhanced PTCs permanent, ensuring that people who qualify for them don’t face sudden cost increases or be left without coverage at all.
Without the extension, out-of-pocket premium payments across the Commonwealth are projected to increase as much as 33 percent, according to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
“For years, the ACA premium tax credits have lowered health care costs and increased access to insurance for Virginians and their families,” U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both D-Va., said in a joint statement. “Through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, we further lowered costs for American families. But without action, these enhanced tax credits will expire. We are proud to introduce this legislation that will ensure more than 20 million Americans don’t face unfair cost increases at the end of the year.”