Nurses urge Congress to extend ACA subsidies, reject harmful cuts

Lapse of Critical Subsidies to Raise Patient Costs Nationwide

National Nurses United (NNU), recognized as the nation's largest nurses union, has actively reached out to U.S. Congress members. They urge a rejection of impending legislation that does not prolong the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire by the close of 2025. Instead, they advocate for the House Discharge Petition, which proposes a straightforward three-year continuation of these subsidies.

Failure to extend the subsidies could lead to significant financial burdens for millions of families, with monthly premiums potentially doubling or tripling. A survey indicates that one in four individuals using the ACA marketplace might forgo coverage if these subsidies lapse.

As the House of Representatives deliberates on the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, concerns arise from nurses that the bill neglects to prolong ACA subsidies and instead promotes junk insurance plans that bypass ACA coverage mandates. This legislation, they argue, falls short of providing necessary relief to Americans. Notably, a coalition of four Republican lawmakers has joined 214 Democratic colleagues to co-sponsor the House Discharge Petition, securing the 218 votes necessary to pass.

National Nurses United emphasizes the urgency for House leadership to promptly vote on the discharge petition to extend the enhanced ACA subsidies. They call on lawmakers to prioritize patient welfare by backing the House Discharge Petition and opposing Republican alternatives, which they argue will aggravate the health care crisis exacerbated by H.R. 1 and years of fragmented health care policies.

The union also insists that Congress should immediately repeal the most detrimental aspects of H.R.1, particularly the over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other pivotal public programs, before these harmful measures take effect next year. If enacted, these cuts could result in hospital closures, patients being deprived of care, and unnecessary loss of tens of thousands of lives.

Remaining committed advocates, NNU nurses continue to champion Medicare for All, viewing it as the sole solution to the ongoing national health care crisis.

National Nurses United stands as the largest and most rapidly expanding union and professional association of registered nurses in the U.S., with over 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

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