The Affordable Care Act protects 737,900 West Virginians with existing conditions that are more calculated or refused by insurance companies. (Getty Images)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed in the law 15 years ago and is still one of the consequences of the most consistent reforms of health care in the history of our country.
At the time when it was issued, I was the COO of Covenant House. We were the recipients of a diminutive subsidy, which was awarded by West Virginian for affordable health care and enabled us to act as assistants of the community. The supporters of Covenant House have inscribed over 300 West Virginians – some of our most endangered citizens – in healthcare; For most, it was the first time in their lives that they had access to health insurance.
In the past 15 years, the ACA has expanded the affordable coverage to people who have previously taken out from health insurance, reduced the premiums and the costs out of its own pocket and have reached an all -time low to the non -insured price of the country. Unfortunately, the dismantling remains a top republican priority because they want to give the ultra-rich and gigantic companies tax benefits.
Do we want to make it really impossible that West Virginians afford health care?
The ACA protects 737,900 West Virginians with existing conditions, which are more calculated by insurance companies or refused to cover. It guarantees over 217,000 West virginians a free preventive care and enables teenage adults to stay in their parents’ insurance plans. More Americans than ever before count on this: a record 24.2 million Americans Thanks to the improved Premium Tax Credits (EPTC), high -quality cover are inscribed, which make health care for millions of families who buy cover themselves more affordable.
Millions of Americans rely on these tax credits, but the Republicans want to take them away, which would make the bonuses not insure 5 million other people.
I personally acquire my health care through the ACA and qualify for EPTC. I pay my fair share: the EPTC makes health insurance more affordable for me. If the EPTC is not renewed, my total costs would reach $ 40,000 per year per year per year. I will be truthful, that makes my heart skipping.
If the congress does not act now, the premium costs for over 64,000 families across West Virginia, including me, will skyrocket. On average, families would pay at least $ 1,404 for their premiums, and 5,300 Western Virginians will lose their insurance completely-in one person who are self-employed, diminutive companies, older adults who do not yet qualify for medicare, people, people in rural areas, farmers, people with existing and more.
Lower premium costs have contributed to taking pressure from the families and giving them more space for other necessities such as food, rent and gas. ACA reporting in West Virginia has more than doubled Thanks to the efforts of the Democrats, who have worked tirelessly to protect and expand the ACA.
But here we are back and stand on the edge of a cliff for health care. The Republicans are urging on premiums and health costs for 24 million Americans by taking away these tax credits from challenging -working families. From the first day, the Republicans fought to boost health care costs, from coordination against these savings primarily to inclination.
Instead of protecting the affordable coverage, the Republicans focus more on the provision of tax benefits to billionaires and gigantic companies, while they have to struggle with the mountaineers to get through. The loss of these savings would be devastating for millions, which may otherwise not be able to gain access to health care. As a result, millions of families have to choose again whether they can see a doctor or keep a roof over their heads.
Since the ACA turns 15 this month, the law is unfortunately again in the crosslican crosshairs, while the Democrats have introduced them Tobility of the healthcare system too Make sure that the costs for health care for people who buy cover themselves remain affordable. If the Republicans take it seriously to reduce costs, make sure that these tax credits for families will continue to be available in the coming years, and people with existing conditions can continue to cover themselves. It is time for Republicans to go on board and to protect millions of Americans.
