New York lawmakers rally for extension of healthcare tax credits amid shutdown concerns

"On the morning of Oct. 5, US Rep. Nydia Velazquez, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other members of the New York Congressional Delegation rallied at City Hall to urge the federal government to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, tax credits, despite the ongoing government shutdown. ACA tax credits help millions of Americans afford health care, the Democratic politicians wrote in a press release. If Congress does not act, thousands of families in New York will see their premiums rise sharply and many could lose coverage altogether."

"As Democrats, our view is that we will find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues to reopen the government to actually pass a spending bill that meets the needs of the American people, but we have to decisively address this Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating hardworking American taxpayers."

"Trump administration members have accused the Democratic base of trying to give healthcare benefits to illegal aliens, U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently told reporters. Undocumented individuals, however, are not eligible for federal healthcare benefits, and the Democrats' healthcare push does not seek to change that policy."

New York elected officials rallied at City Hall on Oct. 5 urging extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits despite an ongoing government shutdown. ACA tax credits help millions of Americans afford health care and are set to expire at the end of the year. Failure to extend the credits could sharply raise premiums and cause coverage losses for thousands of New Yorkers. Democrats seek bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and pass a spending bill while addressing what they call a Republican-driven healthcare crisis affecting working- and middle-class taxpayers. Undocumented individuals remain ineligible for federal benefits and the push does not change that policy.

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