Capitol News

As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period begins, Michigan Democratic leaders are raising concerns about rising health insurance premiums. The Michigan Democratic Party hosted a virtual press conference featuring Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, party chair Curtis Hertel, and Traverse City business owner Jodie Schanhals. They warned that many Michiganders could face higher health care costs due to the expiration of ACA premium tax credits.

Congresswoman Dingell provided an example from her district: “For example, a sixty year-old couple in my district with a combined income of $82,000 would have their insurance be $11,250—a 164% increase in their health care insurance costs,” she said. “Republicans have to go back to work in Washington. I hope Speaker Johnson calls us all back, we reopen the government, and they do something so that millions of Americans don’t lose their health care.”

Curtis Hertel criticized Republican lawmakers for supporting policies he says will lead to increased premiums. “Mike Rogers, John James, Tom Barrett, and every Michigan Republican in Congress backed the toxic agenda that’s causing health care costs to skyrocket,” Hertel stated. “They knew these health care price hikes would devastate middle-class families, they supported them anyway, and Michiganders won’t forget it.”

Jodie Schanhals shared her personal experience as an ACA Marketplace enrollee: “If I didn’t have the ACA subsidy, my health care costs would increase by $1,200 next year. This is huge—I will not be able to afford health care,” she said. “This is a horrible choice that Republicans are forcing us to make.”

According to information presented at the event, individuals and families across Michigan could see significant increases in their 2026 premiums because of the failure to extend ACA tax credits. For example:

- A 45-year-old earning $64,000 could pay $1,678 more on average.

- A 60-year-old couple making $85,000 could see an average increase of $19,533.

- A family of four with a household income of $130,000 might face a rise of $9,092.

Democratic officials pointed out that former Senate candidate Mike Rogers and all Michigan Republicans in the U.S. House supported legislation that did not renew these tax credits while offering tax breaks for high earners. They also noted that House Republicans have been away from Washington for over a month during this critical period.

The press conference highlighted partisan differences over efforts to address rising health care costs as open enrollment begins.