CORTEZ MASTO HOSTS ROUNDTABLE WITH NEVADA HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND PATIENTS TO DISCUSS NEED TO ADDRESS REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE CUTS

The following information was released by Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto:

Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a roundtable with representatives and health care employees for Northern Nevada HOPES and Nevada Health Centers, health insurance navigators, and health care tax cut recipients to discuss the need to address looming health care cuts. When Republicans passed their billionaire tax cuts, they refused to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA)enhanced premium tax credits, which could cause more than 20,000 Nevadans to lose health care coverage.

"If my Republican colleagues refuse to work with us to extend the lifesaving ACA tax credits, it will be devastating for Nevada families, workers, and small businesses," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Nevadans deserve better, and I will never stop fighting to protect their access to affordable, quality health care."

"When patients lose coverage, they often delay care or skip medicationsputting their health at risk," said Sharon Chamberlain, CEO of Northern Nevada HOPES. "At HOPES, we believe access to care is essential for strong, healthy communities."

"We urge Congress to collaborate in extending the enhanced premium tax credits, ensuring that eligible Nevadans can maintain access to affordable health insurancesupporting their health, well-being, and productivity," said Walter David, CEO of Nevada Health Centers. "Sustaining patients' relationships with their trusted healthcare providers promotes continuity of care, leads to better health outcomes, and helps prevent costly visits to emergency departments."

"The upcoming open enrollment for individuals who are currently receiving the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit is going to be challenging if the EPTC are not extended," said Joe Lovely, a Health Insurance Broker at Aware Health Insurance. "These tax credits have helped many Nevadans be able to afford health insurance premiums from independent contractors to small business owners. Affordability is one of the biggest factors when purchasing health insurance. Losing the EPTC will result in currently enrolled Nevadans to seek out alternative options which may not be compliant with the ACA or they will go without, which can lead to worse health outcomes for those impacted. Also, the Nevadans that stay on the plan will have higher utilization, which will raise premiums and care costs long term."

In the Republican tax law, not only did Congressional Republicans vote to kick at least 100,000 Nevadans off Medicaid to fund tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, but they also failed to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which help reduce premiums for Marketplace health insurance plans. Their continued inaction will cause these critical tax credits to expire at the end of this year. Without the ACA enhanced premiumtax credits, nearly 100,000 Nevadans may see their health care premiums rise, and more than 20,000 may lose their coverage altogether. If the tax credits are allowed to expire, an average Nevada family of four making $56,000 a year will see an increase of $205 per month, or $2,460 per year.

Senator Cortez Masto has consistently fought to ensure all Nevadans can access high-quality, affordable health care. She has led efforts tolowerdrug costs for seniors,holdBig Pharma accountable, andexpandMedicare drug price negotiation. She has also championed legislation tostrengthenMedicare-funded behavioral health services andtelehealthservices, as well as protectaccessto ambulance services in rural and underserved areas.