New Report Estimates 350,000 Virginians Covered by Medicaid, ACA Marketplace, & Medicare Will Lose Their Healthcare Coverage
Spanberger: “All Because of the Tax Bill Supported by My Opponent, Hundreds of Thousands of Virginians Will be Forced Off Their Healthcare Coverage”
RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today responded to new estimates showing that approximately 350,000 Virginians covered by Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medicare could lose their healthcare coverage because of Republicans’ tax law — and their inaction to protect lowered healthcare premiums.
According to the KFF, an estimated 310,000 Virginians could lose their healthcare coverage as a direct result of President Trump signing the Winsome Earle-Sears-supported GOP tax bill into law last month. Additionally, the Republican majority refused to extend enhanced premium tax credits for Virginians — which Spanberger voted to pass in 2021 and extend in 2022 — in the legislation. These credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025. As a result, an additional 39,000 Virginians who are covered through the ACA Marketplace could lose their healthcare coverage.
“Virginia families are feeling the squeeze of high costs across the board. And now — all because of the tax bill supported by my opponent, hundreds of thousands of Virginians will be forced off their healthcare coverage.
“Not only is this law eliminating reliable healthcare coverage that allows Virginians to see a doctor, fill their prescriptions, and receive long-term care — Republicans’ inaction is compounding the consequences. Working families across Virginia will be hit with inflated healthcare premiums — or lose their coverage altogether — if this Republican majority allows Virginians’ tax credits to expire at the end of the year.
“Virginians’ health and safety is at risk — and the Youngkin-Sears Administration has backed President Trump at every opportunity. Instead of standing up to these attacks and building a plan for protecting our neighbors, my opponent has praised this bill.
“I first ran for Congress after watching Republicans on Capitol Hill vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act and repeal protections for our neighbors with pre-existing conditions. On day one as Virginia’s next Governor, I will stand up to the chaos coming out of Washington. Virginians can trust that I will get to work to bring down their healthcare costs, improve their access to care, and save them money.”
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, Spanberger released her “Affordable Virginia Plan,” which is focused on lowering Virginians’ healthcare and prescription drug costs by cracking down on industry middlemen that drive up costs, improving pricing transparency, holding large pharmaceutical companies accountable, and expanding healthcare access in rural and underserved communities.
Spanberger has a proven record of lowering costs for Virginia families and seniors. During her three terms in Congress, Spanberger helped lead the charge to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices and save taxpayers billions of dollars in the process.
Spanberger also voted to cap insulin copays at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare and cap out-of-pocket drug costs for Virginia seniors. Additionally, President Trump signed into law Spanberger’s effort to make it harder for pharmaceutical industry middlemen — pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — to rip off consumers.
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