16 years of the ACA: Virginians face rising health costs, coverage loss
On the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Virginia leaders and health care advocates are sounding the alarm over rising costs and shrinking coverage options for thousands of residents.
During a virtual press conference on Monday, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D, VA-04) joined advocacy groups to call on Congress to restore federal tax credits that helped make health insurance more affordable.
Those enhanced tax credits, which lowered monthly premiums for many Americans, have now expired. As a result, more than 44,000 Virginians have dropped their Affordable Care Act plans this year, according to recent data.
“People are being priced out.”
McClellan warned that additional health care cuts scheduled to take effect later this year could make the situation even worse.
“These healthcare cuts scheduled to take effect at the end of the year will hurt people who are most in need,” McClellan said. “For people on Medicaid, this will lead them to lose their health insurance.”
She also pointed to the broader cost-of-living crisis, saying rising expenses are forcing families into difficult decisions.
“Too many people are having to choose which bill to pay and gambling that they won’t get sick or injured,” she said.
For some Virginians, those choices are already a reality.
Real-life impact
Laura Buller says her monthly health insurance costs have increased tenfold.
“My monthly health costs were $15 a month; it has gone up to $150,” Buller said. “That’s a third of my monthly grocery budget.”
Buller says she now finds herself in a difficult position, earning too much to qualify for certain assistance programs, but not enough to comfortably afford rising premiums.
Women’s health concerns
Advocates say the impact of rising costs could fall especially hard on women, particularly when it comes to maternal health and preventive care.
Kenda Denia, founder of Birth in Color, says recent policy changes could worsen an already serious maternal health crisis.
“These cuts will force women to make impossible choices, choosing between groceries and doctor’s visits, between rent and prenatal care,” Denia said.
Denia added that reduced funding could also threaten community health centers and reproductive health providers, limiting access to care across the state.
Ripple effects on hospitals
Leaders also warn that the effects won’t stop with patients.
“It’s also putting our rural hospitals and our safety net hospitals at risk,” McClellan said.
Advocates say hospitals could see more uninsured patients delaying care, which can lead to worse health outcomes and higher long-term costs.
What options are still available?
For Virginians who have lost coverage, experts say there are still ways to get help.
Residents may qualify for a special enrollment period through HealthCare.gov if they’ve recently lost insurance or experienced a qualifying life event.
Some individuals may also be eligible for Medicaid, depending on their income.
In addition, free or low-cost care is available through community health centers and local health departments, including the Virginia Department of Health. Trained navigators can also help people compare plans and enroll in coverage at no cost.
What happens next
At the state level, lawmakers have discussed potential ways to offset the loss of federal tax credits, but no final decisions have been made.
Advocates say without action, more Virginians could be forced to make difficult choices between paying for health care and covering necessities.