KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Recently, Democratic lawmakers in the Kansas City area voted to restore health insurance tax credits after hearing from many families struggling with soaring premiums.
U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) supported legislation aimed at extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. This measure passed in the House with a vote of 230-196 and is on its way to the Senate.
The Impact on Local Families
Congresswoman Davids highlighted alarming stories from Kansas residents who have faced drastic increases in their health insurance costs.
“Families from both parties are feeling the pain. Washington has let us down,” Davids stated. “We need these tax credits to keep healthcare affordable for everyone, including families and small business owners.”
She shared some shocking numbers:
- A woman in Mission Woods saw her premium jump from $560 to $2,030—an increase of 263%.
- In Prairie Village, a woman’s premium skyrocketed from $20 to $646—an increase of 3,130%.
- An Edwardsville woman faced an increase from $69 to $248, which is a 259% rise.
Previous Challenges and Current Relief
According to Davids and Cleaver, House Republicans had previously blocked efforts to renew these credits, resulting in an average premium increase of 77% and leaving 4.2 million Americans without health insurance.
The tax credits had previously aided over 160,000 Kansans, reducing their costs by around $700 annually. Without the extension, families in the Kansas City area risk even bigger hikes in their premiums.
For example, a 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 would see their premiums jump by 333%. Meanwhile, a family of four with an income of $66,000 would experience a 254% increase.
Broad Support for the Legislation
Cleaver noted that around 46,000 people in his district would benefit from these tax credits. “Many families are searching for affordable healthcare solutions. We need to support them,” he said, praising the bipartisan effort behind this measure.
While all Democrats and some Republicans backed the legislation in the House, none of the area’s Republicans voted for the extension.
Future Steps and Concerns
The bill now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers have a chance to act. Davids warns that without action, many healthy individuals may drop their insurance due to higher costs. This could leave only those with chronic conditions in the insurance pool, pushing premiums even higher.
In an era where healthcare costs are rising, restoring these tax credits could help prevent families from facing impossible choices between healthcare and other essentials.
For more detailed information, you can visit the House Budget Committee for insights into healthcare policy impacts across the nation.
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