Congress must not let ARPA support expire

COVID-19 exposed and deepened many inequities in our state. One thing was starkly clear: Granite Staters and Americans across the country need more options for accessible, affordable health care. And they need those options now.

Our U.S. Senators Shaheen and Hassan, along with our entire congressional delegation, showed their commitment to this issue last year by passing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which included an important expansion of health insurance subsidies. These subsidies help millions of Americans afford health care. Because of this expansion in 2021, nearly 23,000 uninsured residents in New Hampshire gained eligibility for tax credits relief. Nationwide, a historic 6 million Americans gained access to affordable health care since the subsidy expansion.

These subsidies expire at the end of the year. Without extending these subsidies, thousands of Granite Staters will be at risk of losing their health care.

The issue of health care affordability cuts across every administration, state, race, and political party.

Unfortunately, there are still far too many New Hampshire residents who started this year wondering how they'll make ends meet for themselves and their families. Record inflation has only exacerbated already-strained financial situations, as the annual inflation rate rose to 7.5% by the end of January 2022 – the biggest increase we've seen since 1982. As Americans are paying more at the grocery store and gas pump, the last thing they should have to worry about is health care premium increases. Right now, legislators have the power to address this issue and ease the financial burden on Americans by making health care subsidies permanent.

As is often the case when critical financial and health-related benefits go by the wayside, the people who are the most disadvantaged will feel the greatest negative impact. While rising health care costs have certainly affected everyone, historically disadvantaged communities will suffer disproportionately if health insurance tax credits vanish at the end of this year. Legislators must keep this population of Americans in mind when making any policy decisions related to the cost of health care.

If Congress lets ARPA subsidies expire, the marketplace enrollees with the lowest incomes are those who will face the most severe financial consequences. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, "people with incomes between 1 and 1.5 times the poverty level currently represent 42% of enrollees." For this population, the benefits of current subsidies are dramatic: they pay nothing or very little for their monthly health care premiums. If Congress fails to extend these subsidies, 42% of enrollees may not be able to cover health care expenses next year.

President Biden himself noted in his State of the Union address that "the American Rescue Plan is helping millions of families with Affordable Care Act plans to save them $2,400 a year on their health premiums," saying we must "make these savings permanent." I echo the President's sentiments. Knowing that current subsidies lower the cost of health insurance and bring more Americans into the federal marketplace, this issue must be a top priority for lawmakers.

It will take the experience and strong leadership skills of our members of Congress to make these health care subsidies permanent. Everyone deserves equal access to quality, affordable care — and solidifying these health care subsidies for the future will be a meaningful step toward this goal.

Dana S. Hilliard is mayor of Somersworth.

Your Turn

Mayor Dana S. Hilliard

Guest columnist