Healthcare advocates rally as impending shutdown puts Affordable Care Act subsidies at risk

BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB) – A government shutdown is looming and congress has less than 48 hours to pass a spending bill to avoid it. President Donald Trump will meet with top congressional leaders Monday, but he has said a shutdown is “likely.”  

Democratic lawmakers want to extend the affordable care act subsidies, while Republicans want to pass a short-term spending plan to fund the government until November with those negotiations to come later. 

Those healthcare concerns prompted local workers and advocates to join forces today calling on congress to prevent a shutdown from happening. 

Union members with 1199SEIU, healthcare workers and community activists are demanding congress take action before health insurance subsidies expire, including in the Affordable Care Act. 

“These healthcare tax credits have been critical to the health of low income and working New Yorkers, keeping healthcare more affordable as the cost of living continues to increase,” 1199SEIU Vice President for WNY Nursing Homes Grace Bogdanove said.

Those at Monday’s rally in Niagara Square, say since 2021, enhanced premium tax credits have been a lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers.

“Healthcare is a critical component in our society,” healthcare advocate Asim Johnson said. “Our healthcare system cannot afford this type of negative hit. Healthcare across the board will lose billions of dollars due to the uninsured patient care.”

Without these tax credits, they fear, medical debt would skyrocket.

“You’re having them choose between paying their mortgage or their rent or to cover basic needs for their children, from insulin to asthma pumps. It’s ridiculous,” Erie County Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard said. “I have a clear message to D.C., keep your hands off our healthcare.”

Healthcare advocates worry that once these tax credits expire, people will face higher premiums and in some cases their premiums could nearly double what they’re paying now. 

“New Yorkers will be forced to pay thousands more for healthcare coverage or stand to lose it entirely,” Bogdanove said.

If Congress does not take any action, tax credits will expire at the end of the year.