Insurance premiums on the rise in Florida as subsidies expire

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D-Florida, visited Feeding Tampa Bay on Monday to talk about the impact of the government shutdown on residents.

Insurance premiums are on the rise, along with deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs. Coupled with that, government subsidies that would lessen or cover premiums have just expired.

"For the first time in our lives, we will go without health insurance," said Linda Misner, a businesswoman in Tampa. "We do the best we can, but we can't afford $40,000 a year in just health care premiums."

Misner said she has a basic insurance plan and would still have to pay out of pocket, on top of her increased premium.

"We will be part of the uninsured in Florida, which just blows my mind, honestly, and how is that acceptable?" she said.

Insurance premiums on average could increase around 30%, and for people who are getting subsidies to help pay for their premium - it could more than double.

"I'm not asking for a handout," said Misner. "I'm just asking for an affordable plan."

Castor invited Misner to speak at her press conference.

"When coverage isn't affordable, people will drop their health insurance and end up in the ER or go without and be sicker," Castor said. "That will impact all of us."

Castor said the issue was the "line in the sand" that Democrats have drawn in the government shutdown.

"It will impact what we pay for our health insurance," Castor said. "It will impact when you show up at the emergency department. It will show up in chronic diseases across the community."

In a statement from Congressman Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, he said he "consistently called for serious discussions about the urgent need to address the premium tax credits."

"The program may need adjustments to prevent fraud and ensure that assistance goes to those with legitimate financial need," he said.

His full statement can be read below.

"I have consistently called for serious discussions about the urgent need to address the Premium Tax Credits, which expire at the end of the year. While the program may need adjustments to prevent fraud and ensure that assistance goes to those with legitimate financial need, I have also emphasized the harm that allowing these subsidies to lapse would cause for hardworking Floridians who rely on them to afford health insurance. However, I strongly oppose the reckless tactics of Senate Democrats, who have chosen to trigger a government shutdown to gain leverage not only on this issue but also to push unrelated provisions, including: $50 billion in cuts to rural hospitals, $500 million in taxpayer funding for liberal media outlets, and billions more for DEI and climate projects abroad. Holding the nation hostage for political gain is irresponsible and deeply harmful to the American people. The shutdown has already caused a lapse in new policies under the National Flood Insurance Program, and programs like SNAP face looming shortfalls. Meanwhile, essential federal workers — from our troops to border agents and air traffic controllers — are being forced to work without pay which is wrong. Denocrats need to stop the partisan games and reopen the government."