The Republicans’ harmful megabill, signed into law this past summer, makes significant cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other programs that help families meet basic needs. The legislation includes some of the largest proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history.
These changes would reshape health care and nutrition assistance across Wisconsin. An estimated 110,000 residents could lose health coverage due to cuts and the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Another 54,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid coverage. About 49,000 residents may lose all or part of their SNAP benefits. Put simply, the bill’s provisions would affect working families who rely on the ACA marketplace, Medicaid recipients who depend on stable coverage, and households that use SNAP benefits to meet basic needs.
For many Wisconsin residents, those stakes are already hitting close to home. Rachel LaCasse-Ford, a rural Dane County resident, is one of more than 300,000 state residents who rely on the federal marketplace for health insurance — and she fears her family’s monthly premiums could more than double if Congress fails to extend the subsidies that have kept individual costs manageable. She is far from alone. According to the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, nearly 280,000 residents could see their health care costs skyrocket without an extension. For working families already stretching every dollar, that kind of increase isn’t just an inconvenience; it could mean going uninsured altogether.
The harmful megabill reduces health care and food assistance while providing tax breaks to higher-income households. Instead of cutting services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, lawmakers should ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and invest in programs that help families afford essentials like food and health care. Additionally, the House Republicans bills propose further cuts, including reductions to housing assistance funding that could affect families’ ability to maintain stable housing.
We urge Members of Congress to protect the millions who rely on these essential services by extending enhanced premium tax credits to prevent over 20 million Americans with Affordable Care Act health plans from seeing their premium costs skyrocket and opposing funding bills that further cut basic needs programs.
Dane County residents fear skyrocketing health insurance premiums
Dane County residents fear skyrocketing health insurance premiums A rural Dane County family’s experience illustrates the way thousands across Wisconsin will be affected by skyrocketing health care costs if Congress does not fund expanded subsidies for insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Rachel LaCasse-Ford is one of more than 300,000 state residents who have…
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SNAP funding in Wisconsin is running out. Farmers and businesses brace for impact
SNAP funding in Wisconsin is running out. Farmers and businesses brace for impact Local farmers and businesses in Wisconsin are bracing for impact as funding for the state’s federal food assistance program is set to run out by November.The state provides about $113.6 million per month in FoodShare benefits, all of which is funded by…
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Many Americans fear not being able to afford healthcare with ACA tax credits at risk
Chrysa Ostenso is the owner of a small optometry clinic in Lady Smith. She says the ACA tax credits not being extended would force her to pay an extra $1,500 a month for premiums and that she could be forced to go into her 401k assets — and she’s not alone.
Pulling from a 401K. Going back to work. ACA costs worry self-employed
Chrysa Ostenso expects to pull money from her 401(k) to pay for the $1,500-a-month health insurance she’ll get next year when the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits end.
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Small business owners, employees worry about higher health insurance costs
Small business owners, employees worry about higher health insurance costs The ACA and HealthCare.gov have made it possible for millions more Americans and thousands more Wisconsin residents to obtain health insurance. But less visibly, the health care marketplace that the ACA created has also helped support many small businesses. If the enhanced tax credit subsidies…
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From fields to fridges: How the government shutdown is impacting farmers across America
From fields to fridges: How the government shutdown is impacting farmers across America WASHINGTON — The government shutdown is causing uncertainty for farmers across the United States, as critical aid is frozen and food prices at grocery stores face volatility. Wisconsin dairy farmer and President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Darin Von Ruden, said, “The biggest thing…