Constituents Urge Barrett and James to Sign Discharge Petition to Prevent Healthcare Premiums from Skyrocketing

Following the Senate's failed vote to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, Michigan Families for Fair Care continues on calling for Congressmen John James (MI-10) and Tom Barrett (MI-07) to immediately sign the three-year extension discharge petition to force a vote in the House and prevent catastrophic premium increases for tens of thousands of constituents.

"The Senate has failed, but there’s still time for Congressmen James and Congressman Barrett to do their job," said Ashley Meyers, a Lansing-area nurse and MI-07 constituent. "More than 70,000 people across their districts are facing premium increases of up to 114 percent – from nearly $900 per year to almost $2,000 per year – if these tax credits expire on December 31st. With the first period of open enrollment ending on December 15th, families are making impossible decisions right now about whether they can afford healthcare next year. The discharge petition would bypass congressional leadership and force an immediate vote to extend these tax credits for three years. Every day James and Barrett refuse to sign is another day their constituents face the prospect of losing affordable healthcare."

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 health care costs – one of their biggest concerns –  addressed. Without an extension, families could see their monthly premiums increase by hundreds during a period of time where the majority of Americans are being crushed under the financial weight of poor decision-making from Congress. This discharge petition would allow the House to vote on extending the tax credits for three years, providing immediate relief to families facing these devastating increases.