Area lawmakers push to restore health insurance tax credits after constituents faced premium hikes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City area Democratic lawmakers voted torestorehealthinsurancetaxcreditsafter hearing from constituents whose premiums skyrocketed.

 

U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) both supported the legislation to extend Affordable Care Act taxcredits. It passed the House 230-196 and now heads to the Senate.

 

Local Families Facing Thousands in Premium Increases

Congresswoman Davids says she’s been sounding the alarm on the issue for more than a year. She shared stories from Kansas constituents who have seen their monthly healthinsurance bills explode.

 

“Families from both parties are seeing their health care costs go up because Washington failed to act. That’s unacceptable,” said Davids. “Extending these taxcredits is about keeping care affordable for families, seniors, and small business owners who are already stretching every dollar — and making sure no one must choose between paying their mortgage and seeing a doctor.

 

Davids highlighted that:

A Mission Woods woman’s monthly premium rose from $560 to $2,030 (263% increase)

A Prairie Village woman’s monthly premium rose from $20 to $646 (3,130% increase)

An Edwardsville woman’s monthly premium rose from $69 to $248 (259% increase)

 

Democrats: House Republicans Let Credit Expire

According to Davids and Cleaver, House Republicans previously blocked efforts to extend the credits, allowing them to expire.

 

They say that drove premiums up an average of 77% and pushed 4.2 million Americans off their healthinsurance nationwide.

 

Davids notes that the credits had reduced healthcare costs for more than 160,000 Kansans by an average of $700 per year.

 

“I’ll keep pushing until Congress delivers the certainty and affordability Kansans deserve,” Davids concluded.

 

After 4 Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote, the measure passed with support from every single House Democrat and 17 Republicans.

 

Cleaver: 46,000 in His District Need Relief

Cleaver says the taxcredits would lower premiums for 46,000 people in his Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City.

 

“For months now, as American families plead for bipartisan solutions that will address the cost-of-living crisis, I have been working with lawmakersto extend ACA taxcredits that help more than 46,000 of my constituents afford quality health care,” said Cleaver.

 

“Thanks to every Democratic lawmaker and a handful of my Republican colleagues, we have successfully passed legislation that would extend this lifeline and provide immediate relief to working-class families across the country,” he concluded. “It is my hope that the Senate will put partisanship aside and pass this legislation so that no family is forced to choose between keeping their health care or keeping food on the table.”

 

According to the House Budget Committee, families in Kansas City face steep premium increases without the extension:

A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 would see premiums rise by 333%.

A family of 4 earning $66,000 will also see premiums rise by 254%.

Lastly, a family of 4 earning $133,750 per year would see premiums rise by 121%.

 

Area Republicans Voted Against Extension

According to the Congressional roll call voting record, no area Republicans in the House voted in favor of the extension. KCTV5 has reached out to these representatives for comment.

 

KCTV5 has reached out to these lawmakers for comment, but has not yet received a response.

 

What Davids, Cleaver Say Happens Next

Both lawmakers say the legislation is now headed to the Senate for consideration. Even though the credits have expired, Congress can still act to prevent future increases.

 

Davids warns that without the extension, many healthy individuals will drop coverage due to high costs. That would leave the insurance pool filled primarily with those who have chronic conditions or high medical needs - driving premiums even higher.

 

Davids concludes that this would compound the financial burden on the families who can least afford it.