As Illinoisans Are Notified Of Their Rising Health Care Premiums, Durbin Slams Republicans For Failing To Address Expiring ACA Tax Credits

As Illinoisans Are Notified Of Their Rising Health Care Premiums, Durbin Slams Republicans For Failing To Address Expiring ACA Tax Credits

In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin reprimanded congressional Republicans for shutting down the government rather than address the rising cost of health care for Americans

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor as Illinoisans with marketplace health plans begin to receive notifications that their health insurance premiums for 2026 will skyrocket an average of nearly 80 percent because congressional Republicans have refused to work with Democrats to save the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. If Republicans allow these tax credits to lapse, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage all together, including nearly 140,000 people in Illinois.

In Illinois, roughly 500,000 people rely on ACA enhanced premium tax credits to afford their health care. For a 60-year-old couple making $82,000 a year in Illinois, their annual health insurance premiums are expected to increase by $17,000 next year, a more than 250 percent price hike. A family of four, earning $64,000 a year in Illinois, could see their annual premium increase by $2,571 a year, a 226 percent increase.

"Today, my constituents in Illinois will begin to receive letters from health insurance companies outlining the prices for next year's health insurance premiums. For many Illinois families, these letters will inform them that their premium costs will double," Durbin began. "All because congressional Republicans have chosen to allow the Affordable Care Act's enhanced tax credits to expire."

Last week, Durbin led all members of the Illinois Democratic delegation in sending a letter to health insurance companies to request answers about how the potential expiration of the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits would impact Illinoisans using the marketplace to purchase their insurance.

"Major health insurers-like Blue Cross Blue Shield and United-told me that expiration of these tax credits will be a disaster. In Illinois, these tax credits lower premiums by an average of more than $500 a month, [that's] $6,000 a year," Durbin said.

"When Illinoisans go online at GetCovered.Illinois.gov today to check their health insurance premiums for next year, they are going to see two devastating things. First, [more than] 400,000 Illinoisans will have to grapple with the reality that they may no longer receive the premium assistance they had received this year… Second, they will see that across our state, health insurance premiums will be going up approximately 30 percent next year, fueled by these expiring tax credits," Durbin said. "All because Republicans in Congress refuse to sit down with us now and fix this problem."

At the same time that health premiums are increasing across Illinois by approximately 30 percent, people also stand to lose their enhanced premium tax credits because of congressional Republican inaction-meaning many Illinoisans will see their out-of-pocket monthly premium costs rise by nearly 80 percent next year. Durbin then shared the story of his constituent, Melanie from Elmhurst, Illinois.

"She said, 'I receive a $379 monthly tax credit… without the tax credit [my insurance] is unaffordable, plain and simple.' She is not alone. She is one of more than 100,000 people in my state-and more than four million nationwide-who stand to lose their health coverage because of this Republican decision," Durbin continued.

Durbin criticized Republican leaders, as the GOP maintains control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, for refusing to act to save these tax credits. Earlier this year, congressional Republicans also rammed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, slashing nearly $1 trillion in funding for Medicaid and $300 billion from the ACA. As a result of that law, more than 10 million Americans are expected to lose their insurance in addition to the four million people at risk of losing their insurance if Republicans allow the ACA tax credits to lapse.

"Democrats tried to address the expiration of these credits earlier this year, but the Republicans have refused to cooperate. Now is the time to get it done for families who are Republican, Democrat, Independent, whether they vote or not. They should have access to health insurance," Durbin said.

Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on congressional Republicans to end the government shutdown and addressing the rising cost of health care for Americans.

"If you're looking for leadership from the White House, we have to hope that the President will return from his trip and take up this cause and hope that the House of Representatives will actually come to the Capitol for the first time in six weeks. Their presence is long overdue," Durbin concluded his remarks.

Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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