Rep. Sykes Takes Action to Protect Ohio Families Facing Health Care Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is raising the alarm about rising health care costs and uncertainty for families in her district. Millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) are at risk, and local insurance changes and federal policies are making the situation worse. Rep. Sykes is taking action, signing onto a bipartisan letter urging Senate leadership to include House members in negotiations on expiring tax credits and supporting a discharge petition to advance stalled legislation that would extend ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years.
“Ohio families cannot wait while Congress debates the future of their health coverage,” said Rep. Sykes. “We need immediate action to extend these critical tax credits so families can afford the care they need.”
More than 12,000 people in OH-13 are at risk of losing coverage. Of the 32,000 enrolled in ACA plans, 90 percent rely on these tax credits. Without them, premiums will rise sharply, increasing on average by $720 per year, a 42 percent jump.
With open enrollment underway, families are already getting renewal notices. Rising costs and confusion could push people out of coverage, which would also drive-up premiums for everyone. Time is critical: Congress must act now to extend ePTCs and prevent families from losing health insurance.
Additionally, a Trump-era ACA Marketplace rule could make matters even worse, raising premiums, increasing out-of-pocket costs, requiring new re-enrollment fees for low-income workers, and creating new barriers to enrollment. Rep. Sykes has introduced legislation to repeal this rule and prevent similar policies.
Locally, AultCare is discontinuing some individual, family, and small-employer plans in 2025, affecting roughly 6,000 members, citing uncertainty over the ACA tax credits. Other plans, including Medicare Advantage and commercial group plans, will not be impacted.
Federal legislation passed earlier this year has also affected the district. H.R. 1, or “The Big Ugly Bill,” put more than 17,000 residents at risk of losing Medicaid coverage, cut an estimated $19 million in funding for local hospitals, and threatens the jobs of roughly 30,000 people in the local health care system.
To protect coverage for her constituents, Rep. Sykes signed onto a bipartisan letter urging Senate leadership to include House members in negotiations on ACA premium tax credits and signed a discharge petition to advance stalled legislation.
“Families in Ohio are facing premium spikes, disappearing coverage, and confusing bureaucracy,” said Rep. Sykes. “We must act immediately to stabilize insurance markets and ensure everyone has access to affordable care.”