Millions of Americans are about to lose their affordable health coverage unless Democrats in the Senate hold firm. Republicans shut down the government rather than extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits that keep healthcare within reach for working families at home and abroad. Now they’re demanding Democrats reopen the government without those protections.
If Democrats give in, ACA premiums will skyrocket by 75% starting in January, and over 4 million people could lose coverage in the years ahead. Democratic Senators must stand strong: no deal without extending ACA premium tax credits.
Why This Matters
The federal government shut down on October 1st after Democrats rejected a GOP stopgap spending bill that ignored the expiring ACA premium tax credits, the very credits that prevent catastrophic increases in health insurance costs.
The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act expanded these credits, helping millions of Americans afford coverage. But they are set to expire at the end of 2025. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warns that 4.2 million people will lose coverage by 2034 if Congress fails to act.
This is not a moment to waver. Republicans are using a shutdown to dodge responsibility for a healthcare crisis of their own making. Democrats must stand firm and demand that ACA premium tax credits be renewed before reopening the government.
Take Action Now
Call your senators and urge them to hold the line — refuse any budget deal that fails to protect affordable healthcare for millions of Americans.
Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121
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📞 Call Script
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m a constituent in [CITY/STATE].
I’m calling to urge [OFFICIAL’S NAME] to stand strong during this shutdown and refuse to support any budget deal that fails to extend ACA premium tax credits.
If these credits expire, millions will lose coverage and premiums will soar. Republicans caused this shutdown by refusing to protect affordable healthcare - now Democrats must hold firm and make this right.
Please insist that Congress address this healthcare crisis before reopening the government. Thank you for your time and consideration.
(If leaving voicemail: Please include your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.)
📢 Spread the Word
Post on social media and tag your senators. Let’s make it clear: healthcare is not negotiable.
Sample Post:
Millions could lose health coverage if Congress caves on ACA tax credits. Democrats must hold the line — no deal without affordable healthcare! #DefendHealthcare #NoCutsNoCompromise
What Our Democratic Fighters are Saying
“This isn't about politics. This isn't about point scoring. This isn't about elections. This is about human beings that Republicans have intentionally decided to leave in a ruinous condition. And Democrats - I'm proud of my Democratic colleagues for standing up and fighting for a very simple premise: that if we're going to pass a budget, it better be a moral budget. If we're going to pass a budget, it better be a budget that doesn't send the health care system of South Florida and the health care system of many other parts of this country into a death spiral. As we left those families yesterday, they were begging us to keep up this fight… It's a fight worth having.”
- Senator Chris Murphy
“So, in this very difficult moment in American history, when working families are under attack, when the billionaire class has never had it so good, when we are moving every day toward authoritarianism under a president who wants more and more power for himself, we have got to stand tall. We have to represent the needs of the working families of this country.
That’s what yesterday’s election was about. That’s what they want us to do. And to fold right now — to give into the Republicans despite massive opposition from the American people — would be a serious, serious mistake.
- Senator Bernie Sanders
"More than three-quarters (78%) of the public say they want Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits available to people with low and moderate incomes to make the health coverage purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace more affordable, a new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds. That’s more than three times the share (22%) who say they want Congress to let the tax credits expire."
- via Heather Cox Richardson