WASHINGTON – As open enrollment for 2026 individual market health insurance plans has begun and Americans across the country are facing astronomic increases in their monthly premiums for next year, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor about the health care affordability crisis, which has been manufactured by congressional Republicans as they refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. These tax credits lower health insurance premiums for more than 20 million Americans nationwide, including upwards of 500,000 Illinoisans. Durbin received a commitment from Republican Leader John Thune on the Senate floor earlier this month that he would put a bill on the Senate floor in December, to address the ACA enhanced premium tax credits.
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If Republicans vote against extending these enhanced premium tax credits, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage, including more than 160,000 people in Illinois. Tens of millions of others will see their monthly premiums double or even triple.
“Congressional Republicans spent the summer slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid… Despite the President’s promises, prescription drugs remain unaffordable, as Big Pharma continues to rip off patients. And now, in just six short weeks, more than 20 million Americans will see their health insurance premiums double or even triple… Tens of millions of Americans are terrified to look at their premium notices because Republicans have refused to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that have made insurance affordable. In red states and blue states for families, small business owners, farmers, and Americans nearing retirement—the peace of mind that health coverage brings will soon be out of reach,” said Durbin.
Durbin said, “As United States Senators, we have the power to prevent these dramatic premium increases and avoid a health care catastrophe… But to use that power requires courage and compromise. As part of the agreement to reopen the government… the Republican Leader promised to put a bill on the floor—one chosen by Senate Democrats—to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. So, shortly after Thanksgiving, Senators will come back to Washington and make a fateful choice for American families across the nation. Will they sit idly by while millions of Americans lose their health care coverage? Or do we sit down— Republicans and Democrats—and solve this problem?”
Durbin helped craft the ACA 15 years ago, voted for its passage, and he has defended it from more than 70 Republican attempts to repeal or undermine the law, with congressional Republicans never once offering a comprehensive alternative health care plan. These premium hikes won’t only affect constituents in Illinois but are expected to be felt most significantly in Republican-led states.
Durbin concluded, “I believe the basic elements of an agreement are achievable. If Republicans are serious about preventing a catastrophic premium increases—let’s get together and get it done as soon as we return from Thanksgiving. We don’t need to hold health care hostage… Let’s do something right for the families in America… We have an opportunity—we have a responsibility—to help Americans afford their health care, and that starts with a bipartisan vote in the Senate. I hope my Republican colleagues will not waste this opportunity. We need to make a real and positive difference for the people of this country who are counting on us.”
