Senator Markey Statement on Republican Vote to Send Health Care Costs Skyrocketing for 22 Million Americans

Markey: "Trump and Republicans never had a real health care plan-they only have a 'We-Don't-Care' plan"

Washington (December 11, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, released the following statement today after Senate Republicans voted down Democrats' cost-lowering proposal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for three years.

"Trump and Republicans never had a real health care plan-they only have a 'We-Don't-Care' plan. Today, I voted to help families afford their health care-not rip it away from millions of Americans, including more than 330,000 people in Massachusetts.

"Since open enrollment started in November, 22 million Americans with ACA health insurance plans have been staring down the barrel of skyrocketing premiums. Democrats have been sounding the alarm all year that this ticking health care time bomb is about to explode-and Trump and Republicans have no plan to stop it or deal with the fallout. First, they slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid. Then they shut down the government for a record 43 days. Now, they're telling families to purchase shoddy plans with less coverage at higher costs. I've long warned that Republicans have been looting our health care system to pay for tax breaks for their CEO billionaire buddies-it's Robin Hood in Reverse. Their refusal to stand up for the American people is clueless, callous, and cruel.

"Democrats have a solution that would give assurance to people covered through the Massachusetts Health Connector that their bills won't become even harder to pay. Democrats' straightforward plan to extend the enhanced premium tax credits for three years would provide Americans with critical financial relief and Congress with more time to develop a long-term plan. Americans' wallets can't wait. We need health care relief now."

Senator Markey today voted "no" on the Republican plan to replace the premium tax credits with contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) - $1,000 for people ages 18 to 49 and $1,500 for those 50 to 65. These accounts would only be available to people who purchase low-coverage plans with high deductibles and fewer benefits. The Republican plan does nothing to help families afford their insurance premiums and pushes families and small businesses to purchase worse insurance with thousands of dollars higher deductibles and less coverage.

This year, 22 million Americans, including 337,000 Bay Staters, received enhanced premium tax credits to help afford their health insurance. If not extended, these tax credits will expire in three weeks, and millions of Americans will see their premiums double or triple. Open enrollment in Massachusetts ends December 23rd for coverage starting January 1st, 2026. In the face of skyrocketing premiums, 10,000 people in Massachusetts have already dropped their health coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector for 2026.

A recent Gallup poll found that 47 percent of Americans are worried they won't be able to afford necessary health care next year. Another recent poll by KFF found that more than half of Americans currently on the federal ACA Marketplace are "somewhat" or "very likely" to go without insurance next year if their premiums double.

Senator Markey has been leading efforts to demand the extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, protect critical health programs, and ensure Massachusetts families can afford their health insurance. Last night, Senator Markey slammed Republicans on the Senate floor for continuing to play games with Americans' health care and urged support for Democrats' proposal to extend ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years so that families will not have to decide between affording their premiums and presents for their loved ones this Christmas. Earlier this month, Senator Markey led the Massachusetts congressional delegation in sounding the alarm on Trump cuts to grants that fund Massachusetts anti-poverty programs. Senator Markey has consistently highlighted the health care affordability crisis and prioritized protection of affordable health care for all Americans.

As Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, Senator Markey has been leading the fight to extend the tax credits that families and small businesses rely on to afford their health insurance. More than 10 million small businesses and their employees rely on enhanced premium tax credits to afford their insurance. If the expiring premium tax credits are not extended, 447,000 small business owners nationwide will lose these premium tax credits.

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