Press Release: Florida Health Care Advocacy Groups Respond to Senate Vote Rejecting the Extension of Health Care Tax Credits
- Admin
- Dec 11
- 3 min read
Florida Health Care Advocacy Groups Respond to Senate Vote Rejecting the Extension of Health Care Tax Credits Florida - In a disheartening setback for health care affordability across the nation, the U.S. Senate rejected a proposal to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act that has helped millions of people access more affordable health coverage. Over the past few months, advocates in Florida have warned of the detrimental impact this will have on Florida families, highlighting data and stories of the record 4.7 million residents who have benefited from the enhanced premium tax credits.
Below are statements from the Florida Policy Institute, Florida Voices for Health, Catalyst Miami, Florida Health Justice Project, UnidosUS, and SEIU Florida on the vote.
If you would like to interview someone to talk about how the loss of these enhanced premium tax credits will affect Floridians and the health care industry, please contact jossie@healthyfla.org.
Erica Li, Health Policy Analyst for Florida Policy Institute, said, "We have estimated that the changes from H.R.1 and letting these enhanced premium tax credits expire will increase the population of uninsured people in Florida to levels we haven’t seen since before the Affordable Care Act. The result would be catastrophic, with Florida experiencing the deepest impacts of any state in the nation. 4.7 million Floridians rely on these tax credits to afford health insurance, and without them Florida’s families who need affordable health insurance will face skyrocketing premiums - and in the worse case, many will be forced to go without coverage”
Scott Darius, Executive Director of Florida Voices for Health, said, “The runaway costs of health insurance make it clear that significant reforms are needed. However, Florida’s working middle class continues to be squeezed by the cost of living and urgently needs relief to afford coverage. Floridians who rely on the Marketplace for lifesaving coverage will feel the impact of Congress’s inaction for years to come.”
Zelalem Adefris, CEO of Catalyst Miami, said, “Miami-Dade County has the highest number of ACA Marketplace enrollees in the country. We are extremely concerned about the impact our legislators' refusal to extend the ePTC, coupled with the cuts from H.R.1, will have not only on our residents but on public health in our community. We see the devastating results of people not getting or delaying care daily, and it is unfortunately about to get significantly worse.”
Melanie Williams, Policy Director for Florida Health Justice Project, said, “Congress’s failure to extend the premium tax credits will have immediate and devastating consequences for families already struggling to afford basic care in the wake of H.R. 1’s passage. Floridians are bracing for higher premiums, coverage losses, and delayed treatment at a time when access to affordable healthcare has never been more vital. This decision deepens inequities and puts the health and financial stability of millions at risk. We urgently call on federal leaders to reverse course and protect the life-saving coverage our communities depend on, our lives depend on it.”
Jared Nordlund, Florida State Director for UnidosUS, said, “Today’s vote is a painful reminder of how out of touch some of our federal leaders are with the everyday realities facing Florida’s families. By voting against extending the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody have put the health and financial stability of millions at risk. These credits have been a lifeline for 4.7 million Floridians, including many Hispanics, who depend on affordable coverage to keep their families healthy and secure. UnidosUS will continue to stand with our communities and fight for policies that put people first, not politics.”
Coy Jones, Florida Political Director, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Florida State Council Vice President, said, "Our union of nurses and other frontline healthcare workers know painfully well the suffering that will result in a vote that makes health insurance unaffordable to millions of Floridians. Our family members and friends will skip essential care; or they will end up in crisis at the emergency room, exponentially increasing the cost of care to all of us. The fact that these cuts to subsidies in the Big Ugly Bill are largely to finance even bigger tax breaks to billionaires and the ultra-wealthy – like Rick Scott himself – makes them that much more appalling to our caregivers and communities. It’s sad but has become no surprise that Florida Senators Scott and Ashley Moody again voted against the interests of Florida’s working families. It’s never been more clear that we need to elect leaders who will truly serve the needs of our communities.” # # #
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