Protect Our Care Praises Senator Shaheen's Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act

WASHINGTON, March 2 -- Protect Our Care issued the following statement:

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On Friday, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced the Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act, which would lower health care costs and expand access to coverage for 4 million more Americans. Additionally, the bill would reduce health care costs for millions of additional individuals who already have coverage - which is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

"Protect Our Care is proud to support the Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act. Reducing health care costs and expanding access to coverage is even more essential now as Americans battle the pandemic, which has left families to deal with catastrophic health and economic outcomes.

"This bill expands eligibility for the ACA's premium tax credits for those who are currently ineligible while increasing the help available for those who already qualify. It also substantially reduces deductible and out-of-pocket costs for families of all incomes. People will see and feel real benefits from this plan.

"It will make health care more affordable and accessible for people in both red states and blue states. In the American Rescue Plan, the House passed the most significant reforms to health care in over a decade to reduce cost, expand coverage, and improve care -- including the premium tax credit enhancements proposed in the Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act on a temporary basis.

"People need this relief immediately, and it must be included as the Senate considers the American Rescue Plan. Further, Congress needs to make these changes permanent for American families, which is why they should pass the Improving Health Care Insurance Affordability Act."