Give families certainty on health care
Rep. Laura Gillen speaks during a news conference to highlight the impact of the government shutdown on Long Island families, in Garden City on Oct. 2. Credit: Barry Sloan
As Congress remains deadlocked about funding the federal government, Newsday Opinion asked Long Island’s four members of the House of Representatives to share their views on how to end the stalemate. Broadly, Republicans want Democrats to agree to a short-term funding bill without any other measures attached to end the impasse. Democrats want assurances that subsidies that reduce health insurance costs for those covered under the Affordable Care Act will remain in place. Our four House members have made their case here. Now tell us your thoughts. letters@newsday.com
One of the top issues I heard when I campaigned for Congress was that the cost of health care was crippling to many young people, families and seniors alike. Too many people are finding that keeping up with insurance premiums, copays, deductibles and other health costs is squeezing out the ability to pay for other necessities in their lives. This crisis impacts Americans from every party in every state. Accordingly, addressing this should be a bipartisan priority for both sides of the aisle and we should be working together to find a fiscally sound way to ease this burden for all Americans.
Unfortunately, Republicans are once again attacking our health care system. Their tax bill, passed without any bipartisan input earlier this year, included the largest cuts to Medicaid in its history. And instead of both sides working together to address the cost-of-living crisis Americans are facing, Republicans refused to even negotiate or entertain a funding package that would help reduce health care costs and chose to allow the government to shut down instead of working together. I continue to urge my GOP colleagues to join me in prioritizing lowering health care costs over political gamesmanship and come to the negotiating table to work for the American people.
The plan of the Republican majority would eliminate the Affordable Care Act tax credits that bring down health care costs for over 21 million Americans. For years, these tax credits have helped thousands of Nassau County families afford health care and make ends meet by reducing the cost of their monthly insurance bills. Health care experts at the Century Foundation warn that if these credits expire, all Americans will face the largest single-year insurance price hike in U.S. history.
When people lose their insurance, costs rise for everyone, even those with private insurance. If these credits lapse, Nassau County residents, who are already struggling with the rising price tag of groceries, utilities and child care, could see their medical costs rise dramatically. According to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a family of four could see their annual insurance bill increase by over $13,000 and a single mother could face a price hike of more than $10,000 for coverage, while a couple in their 60s might see their premiums rise by over $20,000.
With ACA tax credits currently set to lapse at the end of the year, Long Islanders are counting on Congress to work together and give families much-needed certainty that they will be able to afford their health care. A recent KFF poll found that 80% of Americans, from every walk of life, agree that Congress should work together to prevent these ACA tax credits from expiring.
Americans are tired of the gridlock and dysfunction that is all too common in Washington. The majority's continued refusal to negotiate is only prolonging the government shutdown and making life more expensive for Nassau County residents. Instead of listening to the intolerant extremes on either side, members of Congress should work together to solve the problems our constituents sent us to Washington to fix.
Both parties need to come together to craft a bipartisan plan to fund critical government and public safety services while also helping Long Island families afford their coverage by preserving these vital tax credits. I hope my colleagues change course, put partisanship aside and come to the negotiating table.
This guest essay reflects the views of Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), who represents the 4th Congressional District.
