1. United States
2. Del.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the looming expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and its potentially devastating impact on healthcare access for millions of Americans. As Congress navigates the current budget stalemate, I implore you to make the extension of these critical subsidies a top priority in any funding agreement. The consequences of allowing these subsidies to lapse are far more severe than initially reported. Recent analysis shows that if no action is taken, a staggering 24 million people across the nation could lose their health coverage over the next decade. This is not just a statistic; it represents millions of individuals and families who may soon face impossible choices between their health and financial stability. The expiration of these subsidies would have significant financial ramifications for states across the country. Many states may be forced to allocate millions of dollars to cover costs that would no longer be subsidized at the federal level. This shift in financial burden would strain state budgets nationwide, potentially leading to cuts in other essential services and negatively impacting communities across America. Moreover, the immediate effect on individuals would be catastrophic. Your constituents are facing the prospect of substantial premium hikes if these subsidies are not extended. This could render healthcare unaffordable for countless families, exacerbating health disparities and likely leading to worse health outcomes across our communities. The ongoing congressional stalemate over federal funding is deeply troubling. While I acknowledge the complexity of the issues at hand, healthcare affordability should transcend partisan lines. The House has already passed a bill to keep the government running through November 21, but it is crucial that any final agreement includes provisions to extend the ACA subsidies. I strongly urge you to champion the inclusion of ACA subsidy extensions in any short-term funding bill. This issue goes beyond avoiding a government shutdown; it's about safeguarding the health and financial well-being of your constituents and millions of Americans. Please work collaboratively across the aisle to reach a compromise that ensures the continuation of these vital healthcare subsidies. Time is of the essence, with both a potential government shutdown and a healthcare crisis looming. The threat to 24 million Americans' healthcare coverage demands immediate action. Your leadership on this issue is crucial. I urge you to act swiftly to extend the ACA subsidies and prevent an unprecedented healthcare crisis across our nation.