WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS) — Lawmakers voted on a legislative package to fund the federal government, bringing an end to the longest shutdown in history. But where does this leave Americans insured under the Affordable Care Act?
Experts have speculated that premium rates for many ACA customers may skyrocket in the coming weeks. A proposed extension of Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits was arguably the foundational issue for Democrats during shutdown negotiations. Republican lawmakers held firm, leaving millions unsure of what maintaining healthcare coverage means for them going forward.
“What used to be money that you had for other responsibilities or obligations, now you have to divert those to pay for the same healthcare that you had last year,” said former Senior Department of Commerce official, Alejandra Y. Castillo.
As it stands, Affordable Care Act subsidies will expire at the end of the calendar year. As part of negotiations to reopen the government, Democrats were reportedly assured by Senate Majority Leader John Thune a vote would be held for an extension of those subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson has made no such promises, however. Legal professionals have said policyholders likely have no legal standing to dispute potentially dramatic increases in premium credits.
“I think that at this point it’s fair to kind of expect that premiums are about to go up for a considerable number of Americans,” said Stephanie Rapp-Tully, an attorney with Tully Rinckey PLLC.
Democratic lawmakers began efforts to force a vote on the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies to prevent anticipated increases for ACA customers. The vote is tentatively expected to be held in mid-December should Democrats succeed in bringing a vote to fruition.
