SCHUMERFLANKED BY NY FAMILIES FACING ASTRONOMICAL HEALTH CARE COSTS

The following information was released by New York Senator Charles Schumer:

In Less Than 10 Days, New Yorkers Begin Picking Health Insurance For Next Year, But For Many Their Only Option Is To Pay Thousands $$ More Per Month Because Republicans Refuse To Extend The Tax Credits Over 20 Million Americans Rely On

80% of Americans Want To Extend The ACA Tax Credits, But House Republicans Have Been On Vacation For Over A Month, And Trump Refuses To Even Sit Down With Democrats Meanwhile, New Yorkers In Every Region Are Getting Letters and Seeing Skyrocketing New Premiums

Schumer: New Yorkers Can't Afford To Wait, We Must Fix The Republican Healthcare Crisis NOW

As New Yorkers see their only option is to pay thousands more for health insurance with less than 10 days before enrollment begins, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined families from across New York who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits to afford healthcare to demand NY House Republicans stop their vacation and extend this lifesaving program.

Schumer said with NY's health insurance marketplace opening November 1st we can't afford to kick the can down the road any longer, NY House Republicans need to get back to work and tell Trump to negotiate with Democrats now to protect healthcare for 24 million Americans and stop New Yorkers from facing a whopping 40% average increase in their healthcare bills every single month.

"New Yorkers are staring down the barrel of a healthcare crisis that could upend the lives of millions of families across America. In less than 10 days, families need to start picking their health insurance for next year, but many are seeing their only option is to pay thousands more every month without the ACA tax credits. The ACA premium crisis is not a fix-it-later issue, like NY Republicans keep pretending it is. We need to fix it now, otherwise New York's seniors, small business owners, and families will be paying the price," said Senator Schumer. "New York House Republicans have been on vacation for over a month. Enough is enough. New York House Republicans need to stand up to Trump and stand up for their constituents who face massive healthcare spikes, end this Republican shutdown, and extend vital ACA tax credits before premiums double. For thousands of hardworking New Yorkers, it's not just a question of bankruptcy, but survival."

Schumer explained that the ACA tax credits help working families, small business owners and employees, farmers, and self-employed Americans afford premiums for their health insurance purchased through ACA marketplaces. These tax credits were expanded during the pandemic and continue to lower the cost of health insurance, so it is more affordable for over 24 million Americans, including thousands of families in every corner of New York. If Republicans continue to refuse to address this crisis, health insurance premiums are expected to increase by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each month for the average couple in New York.

Already, New Yorkers are receiving letters and seeing online their prices for next year compared to last year. A region-by-region list of examples can be found HERE.

"New York's health plan marketplace and the federal premium tax credits that allowed me to afford a plan that meets my needs have been a critical lifeline for me," said Jeremy Koulish from Ulster County. "Downgrading my coverage isn't just a number. It will have a direct impact on my health and my life. This may be a game to Republicans and their billionaire supporters who will never have to worry about the cost of their own platinum-plated health care, but for normal Americans like myself, this is no game at all."

John T. of Manhattan said, "Obamacare subsidies cut my insurance premiums from $1,400 to $700 per month. So I'm actually getting something back for the taxes I pay. Next year, premiums are likely to more than double, up to $1,500 every month. Without subsidies, that's an extra $800 every single month. Why are we spending tons of money on foreign bailouts instead of helping people here? I want the taxes I pay to help me."

Below is an example of what a couple in the Hudson Valley, like Jeremy and his wife, could see as their cost skyrocket by $949 every single month.

2025 Costs Per Month

2026 Costs Per Month

In addition, because of Trump's healthcare cuts in his 'Big, Ugly Bill,' 450,000 New Yorkers will be forced off New York's Essential Plan, which means many will either have to look for insurance on the ACA marketplace with sky-high prices because of the expiring tax credits, or lose their health insurance entirely.

"My heart dropped when I got an email earlier this month stating I might lose my insurance benefits. I already struggle to afford the city that I have grown up in and contributed to as a small business owner. Without ACA I now have to get into the frustrating, time-consuming process of finding insurance of which I doubt will be possible," said Lilah Obregon-Wilson from NYC. "Shopping for health insurance through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act was the first time I had assurance of affordable, good insurance. We must protect this program, it's a matter of survival."

Judy Jerome of New York City said, "This healthcare crisis is causing me great anxiety because there just doesn't seem to be any way to get ahead. Republicans' refusal to extend the ACA tax credits means that the new, far more expensive premiums are now out of reach for me. My current NY Essential plan insurance will end in June of 2026, and I'm scared for what comes after."

For months, Schumer has been speaking out about the need for Republicans to work with Democrats to protect Americans from skyrocketing healthcare costs, but Republicans have refused to come to the table. If Republican inaction lets ACA enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of the year, premiums will more than double for Americans who buy health care through the ACA marketplaces. These higher costs will push 4 million people off their health coverage over the next decade, including tens of thousands of New Yorkers. According to KFF, 8 in 10 Americans say they want Congress to extend these tax credits, including nearly 60% of Republicans.

Schumer has been speaking out about the need for Republicans to work with Democrats to protect Americans from skyrocketing healthcare costs and reopen the government. Under Schumer's leadership, Senate Democrats have already forced three votes to extend these tax credits, but Senate Republicans have continued to vote against them. Republicans continue to refuse to act to stop these entirely avoidable healthcare cost increases for Americans, and House Republican leaders have not brought the House back to vote in over a month.

###