Urgent Action Needed: Extend ACA Subsidies and Move Towards Universal Healthcare

The looming expiration of expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies at the end of this year threatens to push millions of Americans into financial distress and strip them of their health insurance. This crisis demands immediate action to not only extend these crucial subsidies but also to seriously consider transitioning to a universal healthcare system. The current situation is untenable. If the expanded subsidies expire, an estimated 4.2 million people will lose their health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This is not just a statistic; it represents real people facing potential financial ruin and health crises. For instance, an individual earning $35,000 annually could see their healthcare costs skyrocket by $1,500, while a family of four with an income of $90,000 might face a staggering $3,700 increase. These numbers are alarming, especially considering that 7% of the U.S. population - about 24 million people - are currently enrolled in ACA plans. The expanded subsidies have been a lifeline, doubling ACA enrollment since 2020 and capping insurance costs at 8.5% of income for enrollees. Without action, this cap will disappear, potentially forcing people to spend up to 10% of their income on health insurance. While extending the subsidies is crucial in the short term, it's clear that more comprehensive reform is needed. The United States spends more on healthcare than any other developed nation, yet our outcomes lag behind. A universal healthcare system could provide comprehensive coverage to all Americans while potentially reducing overall costs through increased efficiency and bargaining power. I urge you to take immediate action. First, work to extend the expanded ACA subsidies beyond this year. This extension is estimated to cost $350 billion over ten years, but the cost of inaction - both in human and economic terms - would be far greater. Second, I implore you to seriously consider and advocate for a transition to a universal healthcare system. It's time for the United States to join other developed nations in providing healthcare as a right, not a privilege. The clock is ticking. Millions of Americans are counting on their representatives to act before it's too late. Please don't let them down.