BERLIN, VT — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined health care providers, farmers, and patients at the Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in Berlin to discuss looming premium rate increases ahead of the beginning of Open Enrollment on Saturday, November 1^st. Senator Welch discussed the urgent need to extend Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which help nearly 27,000 Vermonters access health coverage through the ACA marketplace, including working families, small business owners, and seniors. Senate Republicans have, so far, refused to negotiate an extension of the tax credits and help reopen the government. 

“We already know what’s at stake for families that count on ACA tax credits to access health care when open enrollment begins tomorrow. Folks in Vermont and in Texas, folks in red and blue states alike, are going to face price increases they can’t afford—all because Republicans refuse to work with us to reopen the government. That means that families already struggling with rising costs will be faced with impossible choices, like paying rent or their mortgage—or affording health care. Without these tax credits, Vermont families will see rates double or triple, and hospitals will lose out on vital revenue. I’ll keep pushing President Trump and Republicans to work with us to help patients and rural care providers,” said Senator Welch. 

View photos from the tour below and on the Senator’s website:  

When Open Enrollment begins tomorrow, 24 million Americans across the country will try to shop for health insurance that they can no longer afford. Without ACA subsidies, a Vermont family of four making $130,000 a year that currently pays $1,195 a month for a baseline health care plan can expect to pay $3,035 a month for that same plan—a $22,080 annual increase. A Vermont family of four making about $64,000 a year will pay 920% more for their premiums.  

This Congress, Senator Welch has led the introduction of several bills to make health care more accessible and affordable for Vermonters, including the 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, Eliminating Thickets to Improve Competition (ETHIC) Act, Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency (MORE) Savings Act, Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act, End Price Gouging for Medications Act, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, and the Rural Hospital Support Act. 

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