For Isabel Rosa, having health coverage is a matter of life and death.
“I am terrified,” said Rosa. “The condition I have is called HCM – Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.”
It’s a heart condition that requires her to visit a doctor every three months. The medication she takes costs her thousands each month.
“I don’t know what I’m going to have to do to make sure that I’m still able to get this medication for myself,” said Rosa. “Not taking the medication is really not an option.”
In addition to her own welfare, the mother of three worries about her family.
“I have children that depend on me, and I have a grandson I would love to see grow up,” said Rosa.
Since the pandemic, Rosa has purchased her health coverage from the New York State Marketplace.
Prior to that, she didn’t have any coverage.
This week, Rosa joined Rep. Joe Morelle to speak out on the importance of extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
“Because of the enhanced tax credits, my monthly premium is about $350 less than what it used to be,” said Rosa.
Democrats want the tax credits extended before open enrollment begins Nov. 1.
“It’s an affordability crisis created by Donald Trump and Republicans who should put aside their partisan politics and work with Democrats in the best interests of American families,” said Morelle.
Republicans say the extension of the credits isn’t necessary to end the shutdown since they don’t expire until the end of the year.
“It was all Democrats who put these taxes and these premium tax credits and all these subsidies in during COVID, and they are the ones that voted for this to expire,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney. “So, they must not wanted for it to go any further.”
The tax credits, which are known as the Premium Tax Credit, is a refundable credit that helps eligible individuals and families cover the premiums for their health insurance purchased through the health insurance marketplace.
There are income and other requirements that have to be met.