For over a month, House Republicans have completely checked out and stopped going to work. We’re on track for the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history — and this weekend, the impact of the Trump and Congressional Republican shutdown will become much worse for Florida.
Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act began Saturday, and many people are seeing their renewal rates doubling or tripling for the same level of care. That’s because tax credits that have made coverage more affordable will expire at the end of the year, and while Floridians are trying to figure out if they can afford healthcare, Republicans in Congress have decided they don’t care enough to do anything about it. While the cost of groceries, rent and prescriptions continue to rise, members of Congress should be focused on affordability, and one solution is extending these successful credits.
This is an urgent and moral fight about not only what it takes to get by, but what it takes to live a good life. It’s about our neighbors, our parents, our friends, our kids — and their right to live with dignity.
To help amplify the urgency of this fight, my office has been collecting stories and has contacted people from my district and Central Florida about what higher health care bills would mean for them.
These are real stories and I’ll let them speak for themselves…
“I work two jobs, seven days a week. As a teacher, I need to be healthy in order to teach my students to the best of my ability. I cannot do that if my own health insurance costs prevent me from having the funds to pay for doctor visits and updated vaccines. It feels like a lose-lose situation: if I get sick, I can’t afford to see the doctor because of the high insurance cost. If I go to work, I infect immunocompromised students. If I stay home, I won’t make enough money to pay for my insurance. I want to be able to afford preventative care so I get fewer illnesses and stop the lose-lose cycle.” — Julia S.
“I’m a full-time student and a veteran, I have an ACA plan to help me stay healthy during this time in my life. Even one extreme payment could make me homeless and completely change the trajectory of my life.” — Phillip B.
“My family critically relies on the affordability of the Affordable Care Act. I am a 44-year-old mother whose 38-year-old partner and two daughters, ages 16 and 11, face ongoing health challenges. Their access to specialized care and vital medications is entirely dependent on our ACA plans. We can no longer afford our current ACA premiums, threatening to cut off essential health care for my family next year. Our family’s well-being hinges on your commitment to protecting these crucial health care provisions.” — Rachel R.
“My family is dealing with a stage four breast cancer diagnosis. Without the tax credits in the ACA, we will not be able to afford our insurance and have access to life-saving medicine.” — Corrina B.
“My wife has been battling multiple chronic illnesses, including an autoimmune disease that’s still being diagnosed. When I was laid off this year, the health care tax credits were the only thing that kept her insured and able to afford the treatments and medications she needs to stay alive.” — William K.
“If they go away, my daughters who have severe Crohn’s disease will not be able to get the expensive injections they require to be able to live, work, and have a somewhat normal life. Their injections are $4,500 each, sometimes more that are now covered with a smaller copay. $4,500 a shot on top of already pulling money out of our IRAs to help them as it is, it’s not possible. I honestly am scared to death right now what is going to happen is the health credits go away.” — Marylin M.
“If the subsidies expire, I can’t afford health insurance from the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. If I can’t afford insurance through the Marketplace, then I can’t afford my medication. It will have a cascading effect on myself and many other Americans, especially small business owners and their employees.” — Lauren D.
“My thyroid was removed years ago, so I rely on daily thyroid medication and regular blood tests to monitor my hormone levels. If health-care costs or premiums increase, it would make it harder for me to afford my doctor visits, lab work and prescriptions that keep my condition stable. For someone like me who needs ongoing care, affordable coverage isn’t optional, it’s essential for maintaining my quality of life and ability to work and care for my family.” — Catherine N.
Our health care system is broken. Those currently leading our government want to break it even more. Yet, I stay focused and true to one of the many beliefs that led me to run to represent Central Floridians in the first place: Health care is a human right.
In this fight, my mission is clear: Lower costs. Save health care. End the shutdown.
Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost has represented Florida’s 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023.
