[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing today, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal emphasized the harmful impact failing to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits will have on veterans and their families. Recent analysis found 267,000 veterans who rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits will no longer be able to afford ACA marketplace coverage if these credits are not extended.

Blumenthal pressed the urgency of addressing this issue ahead of a vote tomorrow on a Democratic proposal to extend ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years before they expire at the end of the year: "…[W]e have to recognize the importance of votes that we will take tomorrow, one of them to extend the health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that will affect literally 267,000 veterans who rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to afford health insurance. And whether you support the ACA, whether you have other views on what might be a perfect system in the long run if we had tons of time, the simple fact is we face a deadline at the end of the year when these tax credits will expire and 267,000 veterans will no longer be able to afford ACA coverage if these credits are not extended."

The Senator continued, "These are primarily veterans not eligible for Medicaid, TRICARE, or Medicare, and often not eligible to get care through VA - leaving them with ACA marketplace plans as their only option for health care coverage. The ACA isn't perfect… but the fact of the matter is the consequences of failing to extend these tax credits will be devastating for veterans and their families. Veterans will be forced to navigate a perfect storm - an understaffed VA health care system, increased wait times for VA health care, Medicaid cuts, and the loss of affordable health insurance. They deserve better. So do millions of Americans who will be impacted by the potential failure to extend these tax credits. I hope that we approve them to the benefit of those veterans and countless other Americans affected."

Veterans who benefit from ACA tax credits are primarily those not eligible for Medicaid, TRICARE, or Medicare, or who are not eligible to get some or all of their health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition, 1.6 million veterans and four million family members of veterans utilize Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and are at risk of losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage because of the "Big Beautiful Bill." One in ten veterans under the age of 65 rely on Medicaid, and forty percent of these veterans rely on Medicaid as their sole coverage.

Republicans have thus far refused to work with Democrats to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that have helped millions of Americans afford health insurance. Now, tens of millions of Americans across the country are staring down increased health insurance rates that are set to double and even triple their monthly premiums. Coupled with Republicans' Medicare and Medicaid cuts that go into effect next year, Americans, including millions of veterans, are bracing for higher costs and a looming health care crisis.

Video of Blumenthal's opening statement is available here and the full text is copied below.

Senator Blumenthal: Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to hear testimony on some very important bipartisan legislation today. But, before we begin, I think we have to recognize the importance of votes that we will take tomorrow, one of them to extend the health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that will affect literally 267,000 veterans who rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to afford health insurance. And whether you support the ACA, whether you have other views on what might be a perfect system in the long run if we had tons of time, the simple fact is we face a deadline at the end of the year when these tax credits will expire and 267,000 veterans will no longer be able to afford ACA coverage if these credits are not extended.

These are primarily veterans not eligible for Medicaid, TRICARE, or Medicare, and often not eligible to get care through VA - leaving them with ACA marketplace plans as their only option for health care coverage. The ACA isn't perfect. We need to lower the costs of health care generally. We need to work on reforms, and we need to eliminate any fraud that exists in these programs, but the fact of the matter is the consequences of failing to extend these tax credits will be devastating for veterans and their families. Veterans will be forced to navigate a perfect storm - an understaffed VA health care system, increased wait times for VA health care, Medicaid cuts, and the loss of affordable health insurance. They deserve better. So do millions of Americans who will be impacted by the potential failure to extend these tax credits. I hope that we approve them to the benefit of those veterans and countless other Americans affected.

On the legislation today, I particularly want to thank Mr. Stichman for his work, alongside the Yale Veterans Legal Services Clinic, to improve how federal appellate courts process VA appeals.

I've worked with the Yale Veterans Legal Services Clinic over the years, and I know how important their work is generally. The Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act, which I co-lead with Senator Banks, is one of many bills that we're here to discuss. And I will be supporting many, if not all of them. For example, the Molly Loomis Act which would build on the promise of the PACT Act by exploring health conditions prevalent among descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service. And we have to confront, as well, the painful legacy of discrimination. The Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act would investigate the harm done to LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, many of whom received punitive discharges, and were forced to hide their identities and ultimately denied benefits.

These measures are not partisan. This Committee generally is not partisan. And I welcome the support of my Republican colleagues for many of these important measures that we hopefully will advance after today's hearing. Thank you.