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This week, Congress is expected to vote on a government funding bill moved forward by the Senate. Somewhat shockingly, 8 Senators from the minority endorsed a proposal by Majority Leader Thune that does not include an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits—the issue at the heart of the longest-running federal government shutdown in U.S. history (PBS).
This bill, this particular solution to the shutdown, must be challenged because too many Americans will see their healthcare premiums more than double. Too many will be forced to go without healthcare altogether. The knock-on effects in the system of care for many more are also expected to be severe. We cannot sit idly by and watch this funding bill fly through a vote.
Urge Congress to reject a government funding bill that excludes the enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Let's recenter that concern.
Recent press reports and advocacy groups indicate that many Americans are experiencing sticker shock over skyrocketing premiums due to the loss of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits (Politico and CBS). The change in pricing is staggering (CBPP). Without these subsidies, most people on the healthcare exchange are expected to see their premiums more than double next year (KFF).
This deal is a moral outrage and unsustainable for average American families. The fact that Congress seems set to pass a government funding bill that excludes these subsidies is unacceptable. In the sharp and incisive words of Scot Nakagawa, "Yes, this was a betrayal." See, No, This Is Not How To Negotiate With Authoritarians, Substack.
We are in a healthcare crisis. It comes from the combined impact of cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid this summer and now, declining to extend these ACA tax credits is expected to decimate healthcare in the U.S. for years to come. Extending the ACA tax credits is both politically popular and morally necessary.
Congress should reject any funding bill that does not include an extension of the enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
UU Grounding:
As of General Assembly 2024, as Unitarian Universalists, we have agreed to “adopt new language on core religious values.” We agree love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. The values we share include all the following, which we hold as inseparable and deeply interconnected: Interdependence, Pluralism, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, and Equity. (Read more on the Article II revision process.)
With these agreed core religious values in mind, we also ground our call to action related to health, hunger, and poverty issues in the following Unitarian Universalist Statements:
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Organizing for Health Equity, 2023 Action of Immediate Witness
- UUs Remain Committed to Reproductive Justice, 2022 Statement from the UUA President
- Undoing Systemic White Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action, 2021 Statement of Conscience
- The COVID-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing. Courage, 2021 Action of Immediate Witness
- Escalating Economic Inequity, 2017 Statement of Conscience
- Single Payer Health Care, 2008 Action of Immediate Witness
- Addressing the Health Insurance Crisis, 1998 Action of Immediate Witness
- Universal Health Care, 1992 General Resolution
- A National Health Plan, 1979 General Resolution
- National Health Plan, 1971 General Resolution
They Must Reject A Government Funding Deal
That Excludes The Enhanced ACA Premium Tax Credits
This week, Congress is expected to vote on a government funding bill moved forward by the Senate. The proposal does not include an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits—the issue at the heart of this shutdown.
This bill—this particular solution to the shutdown—must be challenged. We cannot sit idly by and watch this funding bill fly through a vote.
Urge Congress to reject a government funding bill that excludes the enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Let's recenter that concern.
They Must Reject A Government Funding Deal
That Excludes The Enhanced ACA Premium Tax Credits
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