CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN RELEASES INITIAL SURVEY RESULTS ON IMPACTS OF TRUMP’S MASSIVE HEALTH CARE CUTS ON HUDSON VALLEY FAMILIES, ESCALATES FIGHT TO EXTEND LIFE-SAVING ACA TAX CREDITS

Congressman Pat Ryan Releases Initial Survey Results on Impacts of Trump's Massive Health Care Cuts on Hudson Valley Families, Escalates Fight to Extend Life-Saving ACA Tax Credits

Because of Trump and Congressional Republicans' refusal to extend the ACA tax credits, families across the region are on track to get hit with a 185% increase in their insurance bills

In October, Congressman Ryan launched a community survey asking Hudson Valley families if they'd received notice that their health insurance bills would be increasing; a whopping 77% answered "Yes"; more than half of those who cited a specific increase reported their bills were going up over 100%

Ryan has been sounding the alarm on Trump's massive cuts impacting Medicaid and the ACA, which are projected to kick 17 million Americans off their insurance and have already ripped coverage from more than 17,000 people in the Hudson Valley

The release comes amid a looming ACA extension deadline and a refusal by the President or Republican leaders in either Congressional chamber to articulate a health care plan

KINGSTON, NY - Today, Congressman Pat Ryan is releasing the results of his community survey focusing on the on-the-ground impacts of Trump and Congressional Republicans' massive cuts to health care in the Hudson Valley.

Of the nearly 1,000 respondents, 77% reported they'd already received notice that their health insurance bills would be increasing. Additionally, more than half of the respondents who provided specifics are seeing their bill double. Especially as the ACA extension deadline continues to approach and Republican leaders in the House, Senate, and White House refuse to articulate a health care plan, Ryan will be taking the community input directly to Washington to fight for the high quality, affordable health care Hudson Valley families deserve.

Since the passage of President Trump's so-called "Big, Beautiful Bill," Ryan has been speaking out about massive cuts impacting Medicaid and the ACA, kicking 17 million Americans off their insurance - including up to 240,000 in the Hudson Valley - and causing premiums to skyrocket. Hardworking people across the Hudson Valley are starting down the barrel of a 185% price hike - a $1,000/month increase for an average 60-year-old coupleon ACA insurance.

"From day one of this Administration, the Hudson Valley has been hit by massive cost increases across the board - especially when it comes to health care. I asked to hear from YOU, to hear about YOUR experiences, because there is so much power in our community. We need all-hands-on-deck to fight Trump's price hikes and extend these life-saving tax credits, " said Congressman Pat Ryan. "The results here don't lie - on top of the immense financial pressure hardworking families in our community are already feeling, 77% of people who responded to the survey are being hit with massive increases to their health insurance bills. More than half of those who reported their specific increase will have their bill double - and of the folks who said their premiums weren't increasing, for many of them it's because they're losing coverage altogether. 17,000 of our neighbors - seniors, veterans, and single parents - have already lost coverage. Nearly half of them are kids. That's a burden that our community simply cannot afford - and they shouldn't have to. I'm taking every single story with me to Washington, because I'll never stop fighting for the high quality health care you deserve at a price you can afford."

Of the nearly 1,000 responses to Ryan's survey, 77% reported that they've already received notice their premiums will increase. Of the folks who provided specifics on how much their bills are going up by, more than half are facing 100% increases - a doubling of their monthly bills.

In order, the other most common responses included:

• People having to cancel their plans due to cost increases
• People having to switch over to lower-cost plans with higher co-pays
• People losing coverage altogether without recourse, including former Essential Plan enrollees - 17,000 of whom have already lost coverage in NY-18

"The Aetna plan that I had is being eliminated and now my deductible is increasing, going from $0 to $1,000," said Judy, a constituent in Saugerties. "I should be able to manage it financially - as long as I don't get sick."

"I currently qualify for the Essential plan and will lose my health insurance with these cuts coming," said Susan S., a constituent in Monroe."My employer offers health insurance, but it would cost me $8,900 a year before they pay for anything. I cannot afford that when I'm making $18.10 per hour. But I am the caretaker for a family member who can't be left alone - I have no choice. What will I have to give up to have health insurance in order to pay for my medications for my chronic illnesses?"

"The increase in premium cost I'm facing will stress my fixed income," said Valarie Losey of Hyde Park. "I am a paraplegic and require constant medical attention and supplies - losing health care coverage isn't an option for me."

"If we stay with the same coverage our premiums will go from $1,860 per month to $3,275 per month," said Michael Berta of Poughkeepsie. "The additional cost for the insurance plus the rising cost in basic overhead has me considering closing my practice down. Then if you add in the additional cost due the tariffs for food, clothing, and basic necessities it's becoming impossible to make ends meet."

"I get my ACA plan through Anthem BlueCross- the basic plan Bronze. In October, they sent a letter stating that the premium would increase, but that they weren't sure by how much. I've since received notice that it is increasing to $837 per month," said Mitch R., a constituent in Cornwall."I am also required to get my doctor's permission before seeing any specialist. They should be ashamed - this isn't healthcare, it's insurance care and it's so UN-American."

"I am retired and my husband has to continue to work at age 75 due to the constant increases in the cost of living," said Susan, a constituent in Stanfordville. "Our UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan's premium increased from $156 to $287 per person per month. We can't afford that increase and will be forced to switch plans and pay more out of pocket in 2026."

"My insurance premium is doubling in 2026, with less coverage, too," said Geraldine, a constituent in Dutchess County. "As a retiree, I'm concerned about how much it will continue to increase, as well as how others can afford these rising premiums and health care costs."

"Not only is my premium increasing, but my deductible has also almost doubled," said Michelle, a constituent in Wappingers Falls. "I already live almost paycheck-to-paycheck. This increase will absolutely hurt my budget, but I have health conditions that have to be monitored by doctors - I have no choice, but to figure out how to pay for my health insurance."

"I rely on my Social Security and am not sure if I'll be able to afford the increase in my health insurance premium," said Donna Gaudio of Kingston."I'm a cancer survivor and have ongoing chronic conditions that require constant treatment and monitoring, so I don't have a choice and will have to cut expenses elsewhere so I can afford proper healthcare."

"My husband and I had a UnitedHealthcare AARP plan and the premium went up from $300 to $500," said Donna Morrison of Pawling. "We had to cancel that plan and are now looking for something more affordable."

"Our insurance premium is increasing by 100% for 2026," said a constituent in Chester. "We needed a new car, and this increase is about the same as the monthly car payments would have been. Now that money will be paying for the premium increase instead."

"My premium increased another $114 per month," said Jean, a constituent in Montgomery."I will have to be able to afford it, but at 72 years old, I do not feel like I can retire with these increasing costs."

"With the increasing cost of health insurance, my husband and I are going to have less savings," said a constituent in Unionville."We wanted to purchase a home, but now an extra $500 per month will be going to our insurance premiums instead."

Congressman Ryan was an early, strong critic of President Trump domestic spending agenda - calling it a "Big, Ugly Betrayal" of the American people.Trump's agenda rips health care coverage away from more than 17 million Americans, is set to cause a massive hike in insurance premiums for millions, and has already closed, significantly reduced services, or forced mass layoffs at countless hospitals nationwide.

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