ICYMI: On NPR’s Morning Edition, Shaheen Highlights Growing Republican Recognition of Importance of Extending ACA Tax Credits to Prevent Premiums from Doubling

**Shaheen authored the bicameral bill to permanently extend the enhanced premium tax credits that have been a lifeline for millions of families and are set to expire at the end of the year**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH),lead author of bicameral legislationthat would permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, joined NPR Morning Edition today to discuss the need to both reopen the government and protect access to affordable health care by extending the soon-expiring tax credits. If Republicans in Congress and the White House refuse to extend the tax credits,new findings suggest that premiums could more than doubleand that four million Americans could lose their health insurance entirely.ClickHEREto listen to Senator Shaheen’s full interview.
During the interview, Shaheen cited a growing acknowledgment from Republicans that something must be done to address the looming expiration – highlighting that 76% of the people who get these tax credits to make health care more affordable live in states that President Trump won in November. The Senator also pushed back on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s claims that the administration will be forced to fire federal workers if the government stays shut.
Key quotes from Senator Shaheen:
Shaheen isleading efforts in Congressto make health care more affordable through the preservation and extension of enhanced premium tax credits. Shaheen’s first bill introduction this Congress was her landmarkHealth Care Affordability Act—bicameral legislation with Senator Baldwin and U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to permanently extend the tax credits for Marketplace coverage that have lowered health care costs for millions of Americans.
Last week, Shaheenhosted a spotlight forumon the need for Congress to extend the soon-expiring tax credits that have made health care more affordable for tens of millions of Americans. The spotlight forum, entitled“The Clock is Ticking: Why Congress Must Extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits”featured several Democratic Senators and four witnesses.
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