WJRT: Congresswoman seeks to extend health insurance tax credits

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) - Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet is urging Republicans to help prevent rising health care costs by supporting a new bill.

The Democrat is co-sponsoring legislation to make the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits permanent. These tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year following the recent spending bill passed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress.

McDonald Rivet said studies indicate that premiums will increase by more than $700 on average for every Mid-Michigan resident.

"We are hearing a lot of Republicans talk about their worry about escalating costs of health insurance and what that is going to mean for people," McDonald Rivet said.

She expressed hope that as lawmakers return to their districts, they will consider the financial burdens on families due to rising costs of groceries, gas, and utility bills.

"This extra burden in families for health insurance is just not affordable," McDonald Rivet said.

It is unclear if any Republican has expressed an opinion on the proposed bill so far. Mid-Michigan Congressman John Moolenaar previously stated that the passing of the spending bill by Congress was beneficial for Michigan families.