Rep. McDonald Rivet Launches Portal to Amplify Voices of Michiganders Facing Skyrocketing Health Care Costs

FLINT— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) announced a new portal where constituents can share the impact of rising health care costs on them and their families. In the coming weeks, insurance companies will be posting their 2027 rate notices, and costs are expected to rise significantly, due in part to Congress’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits and the One Big Beautiful Bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid. 

“Working families and seniors have been paying the price all year after out-of-touch Washington policies gutted our healthcare. Now, premiums are about to go even higher in 2027,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Higher costs will force more people to drop their coverage, make it harder to see a doctor, and stretch more families’ budgets to the breaking point. Until Congress stops the political games, we will keep bringing mid-Michigan’s stories to Washington to show how devastating these cuts are.” 

Residents of Genesee, Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties are encouraged to share their health care story at McDonaldRivet.house.gov/ShareYourStory. 

In January 2026, Congress refused to extend the ACA tax credits, which reduce out-of-pocket health care insurance premium costs for hard working Americans. The tax credits’ expiration contributed to Michigan having the sixth-biggest decline in ACA enrollment in the nation in 2026. In 2027, nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts will take effect as a result of Republicans' so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Employer-sponsored health plans are expected to raise premiums by at least 8.2% nationally, the largest rate hike since 2003. In Michigan, rates for Individual Marketplace plans are expected to increase by an average of 14.2% in 2027. 

Throughout her first term in office, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has been working to prevent these hikes and fix our healthcare system. For example:

• In July 2025, the Congresswoman voted against Republicans’ trillion-dollar Medicaid cuts, and spoke about the local consequences alongside health care workers and a Flint family that relies on Medicaid for cancer treatments.
• Later that month, she called on Republican colleagues to join her in supporting the Health Care Affordability Act of 2025, which would make the ACA tax credits permanent.
• In September 2025, the Congresswoman led three dozen of her colleagues in demanding Congressional Leadership support efforts to extend the ACA tax credits. 
• In the months leading up to the tax credits’ expiration, the Congresswoman elevated the voices of constituents from across the district. 
  • In October 2025, she stood with a mother from Midland whose insurance premiums were expected to jump by 18% to call on Congress to renew the ACA tax credits and lower costs in Saginaw. 
  • In November 2025, she hosted a roundtable discussion in Flint with local health care administrators and community members who rely on the ACA tax credits.
• In November, the Congresswoman voted against the government funding package that failed to lower health care costs.
• In January 2026, the Congresswoman helped pass an extension of the ACA tax credits through the House of Representatives. The Senate refused to vote on that bill.