CISCOMANI, KIGGANS, SUOZZI LEAD EFFORT TO PREVENT SOARING HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS

The following information was released by the office of Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani:

Congressman Ciscomani (AZ-06) joined Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) to introduce the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act (H.R. 5145), a bill to protect families, seniors, and small business owners from massive health care premium increases.

"I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that extend these credits for a limited time in order to give lawmakers the opportunity to construct responsible reforms that don'tleave Arizonans' in the lurch with thousands of dollars more a year in health insurance premium increases," Congressman Ciscomani said. "We as Congress must come together to find ways to incentivize competition in the health insurance market that will drive innovation and lower costs."

"Additionally, the factors relating to increasing premiums is multifaceted because health care costs have risen exponentially nationwide and have been rising for decades, directly a result of chronic disease in America that makes up about 90% of the nation's health care costs," Congressman Ciscomani said. "I'm honored to support the Administration's new focus on chronic disease and its devastation on our families. I was proud to vote to fully fund the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative in the House Appropriations Committee. At this time, no legislation has come to the floor to extend the duration of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits; and I have taken up the charge to change that by joining my bipartisan colleagues to help lead this legislation."

"As a nurse practitioner, military spouse, and Mom, I understand firsthand how critical affordable health care is for working families. In Congress, I've made it my mission to ensure Virginiansespecially our seniors, small business owners, and middle-class familiesaren't blindsided by skyrocketing costs they can't afford," Congresswoman Kiggans said. "While the enhanced premium tax credit created during the pandemic was meant to be temporary, we should not let it expire without a plan in place. My legislation will protect hardworking Virginians from facing health insurance bills they can't afford, thus losing much-needed access to care."

"At TMC Health, we see every day how premium tax credits allow families in Southern Arizona to keep their health coverage and access timely care. Extending these credits is critical to ensuring affordability and stability in our healthcare system, particularly as costs continue to rise," Julia Strange, Vice President, External Affairs and Brand, TMC Health said. "As a nonprofit system serving both urban and rural communities, we are deeply concerned that without this support too many would be forced to delay or forgo needed care. That leads to worse outcomes, higher costs and more strain on hospitals. These credits are a proven tool for keeping coverage within reach and preserving a healthier community."

"For many rural families in Cochise County, premium tax credits are the difference between having health coverage or going without," Gary Kartchner, CEO, Benson Hospital and Northern Cochise Community Hospital said. "In small communities, where travel times are long and options are limited, access to affordable coverage is vital. Extending these credits keeps care within reach and helps sustain local hospitals that our communities depend on every day."

"Banner Health applauds Representative Ciscomani's leadership in working to extend the enhanced premium tax credit, which has helped thousands of Arizona families access affordable coverage,"Alison Flynn Gaffney, Chief Executive Officer, Banner University Medicine Tucson said. "Continuing this support is critical to ensuring people across the state can remain insured and prioritize their health without the added burden of financial stress."

Under current law, the enhanced Premium Tax Creditestablished by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded during COVID under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and later extended through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)is set to expire at the end of this year. The COVID pandemic is over, and I am open to discussion on transitioning off of these subsidies, but there must be a reasonable approach so hardworking families can continue to afford healthcare.

Cosponsors: Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Young Kim (CA-40), David Valadao (CA-22), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Tom Kean (NJ-07), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Don Davis (NC-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Maria Salazar (FL-27).

Background: The premium tax credit was established by the ACA in 2014 to help people afford health insurance purchased through the ACA's marketplaces. The PTC's eligibility rules were expanded and its amounts increased by the American Rescue Plan for 2021-2022, removing the income cap and increasing the subsidy for all eligible households to help during the pandemic. The IRA extended these enhanced subsidies through 2025, though they are set to expire at the end of 2025.