Monique Stanton

Last week, the U.S. Senate failed millions of Americans, including more than 484,000 people here in Michigan, by rejecting a bill that would have renewed the enhanced Premium Tax Credits (PTCs) under the Affordable Care Act.

Senate Republicans had an opportunity to do what was right to make health care affordable for workers and families across our country and state, but they rejected a sensible bill that was on the table to make that happen. They instead put forth a short-sighted and incomplete plan to create Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which are not a suitable replacement for the tax credits.

HSAs would fall extremely short of offsetting the costs that families will be met with come Jan. 1 and they largely benefit higher-income households, while doing little to nothing for families who will be hit hardest by the elimination of the enhanced PTCs. Just 4% of national HSA contributions in 2023 were made by people with incomes below $50,000. That’s because you need a decent amount of disposable income to contribute to HSAs and must have a high-deductible plan with high out-of-pocket costs. For these reasons, it is fortunate that this ill-advised, proposed plan was also voted down last week, and any similar plan meant to “replace” what the ACA credits have accomplished should also be rejected.

As we head into 2026, health care premiums are now set to spike because of the inaction of Congress, which will force many people to have to reduce or completely drop their coverage. Here in the counties of Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency and Presque Isle, nearly 3,000 community members receive the ACA tax credits and will undoubtedly feel the impact of this. Many of them will likely be among the tens of thousands of Michiganders who could lose their health insurance in the face of the higher premiums, which are expected to increase by more than 75% for the average enrollee and 90% for those living in rural areas like Northeast Michigan. That will mean monthly health care cost hikes of hundreds and even thousands of dollars depending on a family’s household size and income.

Affordable health care is a basic necessity and it is especially essential for community members with chronic health conditions, disabilities and low incomes. Families are already struggling to make ends meet in counties across Michigan and if they have to drop coverage they will be faced with impossible choices. No parent should have to decide between paying out of pocket for a doctor’s appointment for their child or putting food on the table at night. And no one should be one medical emergency away from incurring insurmountable medical debt.

Sadly, many leaders in the U.S. Senate forgot their responsibilities to those they serve with their votes last week, but we do appreciate that Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Sen. Gary Peters have continued to stand up for the health and well-being of Michiganders throughout this long fight. While it’s unlikely that any action to prevent the expiration of the tax credits will happen yet this year, we implore members of Congress to take it up in the new year to help mitigate the harm that will be caused. It’s not too late to reverse course and do what is right. The time is now for them to stop playing politics with people’s health and extend the credits permanently.