Constituents Urge Barrett and James to Sign Discharge Petition to Prevent Healthcare Premiums from Skyrocketing
With ACA premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, constituents from Michigan's 7th and 10th Districts have very little time to have their biggest concern addressed – health care costs. Currently, Congress is considering a discharge petition that would force a vote on extending these critical tax credits and prevent healthcare premiums from more than doubling for over 470,000 Michiganders.
"I've been trying to get answers from Congressman Barrett about what he plans to do to help families like mine who won’t be able to afford premiums if they double in price," said Cynthia Burton, a constituent in Michigan's 7th District. "Right now, my family budgets carefully every month to make ends meet. If people won't be able to afford coverage that means no regular doctor visits, no preventive care, hoping nothing goes wrong because they can't afford treatment. Congressman Barrett needs to sign this discharge petition immediately. We're not asking for much—we're asking him to let Congress vote on keeping our healthcare affordable. Sign the petition and prevent this crisis before it's too late."
"I can't go without healthcare coverage, I don't know how anyone living on fixed income can afford an extra $700 or more per month when these tax credits expire," said Rebecca Zainos, a community volunteer and Warren resident. " If my premiums double in January, something has to give, and it can't be healthcare—it's literally keeping people alive. Congress needs to know this is life or death. If Congressman James won't sign the discharge petition to force a vote on extending these tax credits, he's telling constituents that our lives aren't worth the money. We urge Congressman James to sign on before it's too late for thousands of us who depend on affordable healthcare to survive."
Over 78,000 people across Michigan's 7th and 10th Districts receive health insurance through the ACA marketplace with premium tax credits. Without these subsidies, premiums will more than double—from an average of $888 annually in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026, a 114% increase. For many families, this means monthly premium increases of $700 or more, making healthcare unaffordable and forcing them to drop coverage entirely.
The discharge petition provides a clear path forward: sign it, force a vote, and extend the tax credits. Both Barrett and James have the power to prevent this crisis. Constituents across both districts are urging them to act immediately before premiums skyrocket at the start of the new year.
