WNEM: Congresswoman McDonald Rivet marks ACA anniversary, speaks against skyrocketing health care costs
SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - A mid-Michigan lawmaker is bringing to light the severe consequences of recent health care cuts.
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet was joined virtually by Genesee County senior Linda Hamacher to amplify Protect Our Care Michigan’s March Madness Campaign to defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
They said the legislation has survived several repeal attempts and has saved numerous lives over the years.
“It’s an important anniversary. 16 years ago, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. As everyone knows here, it was a landmark piece of legislation that made health care more accessible for more Americans than ever before,” McDonald Rivet said.
McDonald Rivet touted the success of the ACA after Congress failed to renew its enhanced premium tax credits.
She said the failure to renew the tax credits caused premiums to skyrocket.
About 40,000 fewer Michiganders signed up for health coverage during the 2026 enrollment period.
McDonald Rivet went on to emphasize that this change came at the same time that the ultra-wealthy received a tax cut.
Last April, Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed how harmful it would be to hundreds of thousands of Michiganders if access to health care became limited.
“Medicaid provides a lifeline to 2.6 million Michiganders, whether they need their annual physical or their third round of chemotherapy,” Governor Whitmer said at the time. “Cuts to Medicaid could take health care away from 750,000 of our friends, neighbors, and families.”
McDonald Rivet said that these cuts to Medicaid could cause nearly 20 million Americans to lose health coverage that they gained through Medicaid expansion.
“In my district 70% of jobs pay less than $60,000 a year. Take home pay on 60 grand a year will not allow you to continue health insurance when the rates start to escalate like they have now,” McDonald Rivet said. “I heard from one couple in their 60s from Bay City that told me they were expecting their premiums to jump $11,000.
McDonald Rivet is calling on Congress to reverse the health care cuts.
The ACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama.