Seven Americans Share Their Thoughts on Rising Health Care Costs

1. Frustrated and Overwhelmed: I’m a single mom working two jobs just to make ends meet, and the rising health care costs are suffocating me. I have to choose between paying for my kids’ doctor visits or our rent. It’s an impossible decision.

2. Retiree on a Fixed Income: As a retiree living on a fixed income, the increasing health care costs are eating away at my savings. I’ve had to cut back on other essential expenses just to afford my medications and doctor visits. It’s not the retirement I envisioned.

3. Small Business Owner: The rising health care costs are crippling my small business. I want to provide health insurance for my employees, but the premiums are becoming unaffordable. It’s a constant worry and a significant burden on my business’s bottom line.

4. Young Professional: I’m healthy and rarely visit the doctor, but the cost of health insurance is still a significant portion of my budget. It’s frustrating to feel like I’m paying for a service I don’t often use, but I know I need it for the unexpected.

5. Chronically Ill Patient: Living with a chronic illness means I’m constantly at the doctor’s office or hospital. The rising health care costs are not just financially draining; they’re also emotionally exhausting. I feel like I’m fighting for my life and my financial stability simultaneously.

6. Veteran: As a veteran, I’ve served my country, but the rising health care costs make me feel like my country is not serving me. The VA system is overwhelmed, and the care is not always timely or adequate. It’s disheartening to feel like my service is not valued.

7. Family of Four: With two young children, health care costs are a significant part of our family’s budget. From well visits to the occasional emergency room trip, the expenses add up quickly. We’re fortunate to have insurance, but the out-of-pocket costs and premiums are still a strain on our finances.

The rising cost of healthcare in the US is a dire issue, as evident from the stories of several individuals who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for their health insurance. Celia Monreal, a mother of five from Texas, is one such example. She currently pays no premium for her ACA marketplace plan due to tax credits, but if these credits expire at the end of the year, her monthly premium could skyrocket to $1,500. This would force her to choose between paying for necessities like heat and food or health insurance.

Similarly, Michael Swanson, a restaurant server from San Antonio, relies on tax credits to keep his ACA health coverage. Without these subsidies, his premium would increase tenfold, making it unaffordable for him. He is now looking for a new job that offers affordable health coverage. Steve Gomez, a construction manager from Arizona, also relies on ACA marketplace coverage for his family’s healthcare, including his son who has a congenital heart defect. However, he is struggling to find a marketplace plan that covers the care his son needs, and he believes the impending expiration of tax credits is to blame.

The expiration of tax credits would have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just individuals but also small businesses. Andrew Volk, a bar owner from Maine, is already seeing the ripple effects of the stalled extension of tax credits. His private insurance premiums are set to increase by 25-35%, making it difficult for him to offer affordable healthcare to his employees.

The stories of these individuals highlight the urgent need for lawmakers to extend the tax credits for ACA marketplace plans. Without these subsidies, many people would be forced to choose between paying for healthcare or other essential expenses. The expiration of tax credits would also have a broader impact on the economy, making it more difficult for small businesses to offer affordable healthcare to their employees and potentially driving up healthcare costs for everyone. As Amber Gustafson, a writer from Iowa, notes, “The more people that are part of the ACA, the more cost-effective it is for everybody.”