Nevadans Urge House Delegation: Hold the Line on Healthcare Costs!

NEVADA - Over the weekend, eight Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to move a continuing resolution (CR) forward that funds the government until January 30, 2026. Now the House is poised to take up the CR, potentially ending the longest government shutdown in history. The current CR does not include an extension of the ACA subsidies. However, Senate Majority Leader Thune has promised a vote on a separate ACA bill in mid-December. It is unclear whether this will be palatable in the House, as Speaker Johnson has not committed to bringing it to a vote. Advocates and local groups commented below on the upcoming House vote.   

Leo Murrieta, Executive Director of Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:

“For many of our working-class, immigrant members, an increase in ACA premiums is just unaffordable, it's impossible. While everyday Nevadans are struggling to keep themselves and their families afloat, Republicans continue to block vital ACA subsidies. Sen. Cortez Masto and Sen. Rosen’s votes may have provided families with temporary relief, but without a permanent solution, they put them back at risk in a few weeks. We urge both Republicans and Democrats to put communities first and ensure that the healthcare of Nevadans and families across the country is protected.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“After weeks of weaponization of hunger by President Trump and Republicans, the Senate moved to reopen the government without a concrete fix for expiring ACA premium subsidies. We cannot allow the Trump administration to pit SNAP recipients against families who need affordable health coverage—Nevadans deserve both. While Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto voted to move toward reopening the government last night, we hope they will hold firm for an extension of ACA subsidies if Senate Republicans uphold their end of the bargain and put them to a vote. ACA premiums are increasing in real time, and without the subsidy extension, many Nevadans will lose coverage altogether. And when any compromise reaches the House, we urge Representatives Titus, Horsford, and Lee to hold the line for health care affordability, as well. The reality is simple: Republicans, led by Donald Trump, refused to negotiate a solution to rising healthcare costs and instead fueled division, forcing our Senators into a difficult position. While we would have preferred a concrete answer on ACA subsidies now, we must remember that the real villains here are the Republicans who chose to weaponize food assistance and health care coverage, impacting mothers, fathers, seniors, children, and disabled individuals, to fund their billionaire tax breaks.”

Sue Burtch, Executive Director of Nevada NOW, issued the following statement:

"Nevada NOW is an organization led by working-class women, many who wear multiple hats outside of work, mothers, elders, caretakers, etc. Along with the rest of America, these changes WILL have crushing impacts on their daily lives. We know that without the ACA subsidies, insurance rates will double if not triple. We demand the extension of ACA subsidies without any back-door path to a national abortion ban. Anything less is a dishonor to Nevadans, and we will remember next November.”

Manuel Santamaria, Veteran with Common Defense, issued the following statement:

“As the House prepares to vote on ending this government shutdown, we want to remind them that thousands of Nevadans and millions of Americans are still facing down an increase in ACA premiums while facing food insecurity because the administration is using both health and hunger as a cudgel for their political aims. Veterans in Nevada are now having to confront increasing medical costs for their families, unreliable SNAP amounts, and interruptions of their VA services, all while facing the scourge of veteran homelessness. We urge the congressional delegation of Nevada to stand strong against the tide and fight for what all Americans deserve: dignity in their pursuit of happiness. Common Defense and its veterans urge Republicans to negotiate in good faith for the well-being of all Americans, and it stands behind those willing to fight to promote the general welfare, as stated in the preamble to the US Constitution that we have taken an oath to preserve.”

Kaylyn Kardavani, Executive Director of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Premium costs are rising right now and frankly, have been for too long. Without further action, families will see their health care costs rise to extreme amounts or lose coverage entirely. That is not governance- it is holding people’s health hostage, and it completely abandons the very people who keep our communities running.

"The continuing resolution still leaves thousands of Nevadans without clarity on the future of ACA premium subsidies. Health care is a basic necessity, and Nevadans deserve affordable coverage. When a final proposal reaches the House, we are calling on Representatives Titus, Horsford, and Lee to stand strong for affordable health coverage for every Nevadan.”

André Wade, State Director of Silver State Equality, issued the following statement:

“Whether or not it was the correct long-term strategy among certain Democrats to support the Senate’s plan to reopen the government – I will leave it to them to answer. But, as the bill heads to the U.S. House of Representatives, Silver State Equality urges Nevada legislative representatives to remember the estimated 100,000 Nevadans who are enrolled in ACA health care plans and, according to the Nevada Division of Insurance, are facing an average rate increase of 26 percent, which may lead to many Nevadans going without health care insurance coverage and the eventual increase in health care costs for all. While reliable data does not exist as to how many LGBTQ+ individuals utilize the ACA, the LGBTQ+ community disproportionately experiences barriers to health care, and studies have shown this can lead to worse health outcomes stemming from untreated depression, cardiovascular health or even cancer – making affordable and accessible health care even more essential. We also trust that Representatives Lee, Titus, and Horsford will never lose sight of the clear evidence that Republicans – in the White House and in Congress – selected to use hungry children and families and health care coverage for millions of US citizens as pawns in their fight to continue benefiting the ultra-wealthy. As we have said before: the fight goes on.”

Barbara Hartzell, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance NV, issued the following statement:

"Nevadans do not have corporate lobbyists negotiating their healthcare. They have grocery lists, rent due dates, and medical bills that show up whether Congress acts or not. Allowing ACA subsidies to lapse is not a procedural detail. It is a price hike on working families who are already deciding what they can cut next: food, medication, or both. We are urging Representatives Titus, Horsford, and Lee to stand strong and hold the line. Do not fall to pressure from special interests or the Trump agenda. Your constituents back home are counting on you to put families first and protect their access to affordable healthcare.

“When healthcare becomes unaffordable, families do not simply adjust. They sacrifice. A mother postpones care because her child needs the appointment more. An Elder chooses which prescription to refill and which to skip. A family sits at the kitchen table late at night whispering about what they can live without. These are not political talking points. They are the quiet emergencies that happen inside Nevada homes when leaders fail to act. That is why we need you to hold the line."

William Moore, Nevada Civic Engagement Director, Mi Familia Vota issued, the following statement:

“The health care crisis isn’t looming on the horizon, it’s already here in Nevada. The U.S. House of Representatives is supposed to represent the people, and the Speaker’s threat to refuse to bring up a vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits would cost Nevadans dearly. The cost of health care is already soaring, and the end of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits will send prices even higher and put countless lives at risk. Nevada’s congressional delegation should send Republican leadership in Washington a clear message, that prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over the social safety net of health care and nutrition benefits has consequences. Mi Familia Vota is engaging with voters throughout the state, and they are watching these votes very closely. Our families know that the President went to the Supreme Court to deny food for the hungry, rather than negotiating over health care, and they will be watching how Nevada’s delegation leads and votes on ACA subsidies. Mi Familia Vota will continue to educate voters to get informed, and to hold their elected officials accountable at the ballot box at every opportunity.” 

Laura Martin, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada issued the following statement:

“We’re calling on Nevada’s House members: Don’t vote like Catherine Cortez Masto.

"Senator Cortez Masto worked with Washington insiders to reopen the government on a deal that will raise health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. Working families are already stretched thin, and we can’t afford to pay more just so politicians can claim a “win”; especially a deal that hinges on the ability of Speaker Mike Johnson to have some integrity.

"We need representatives who will stand with the people, not the insurance companies, that means not rubber stamping a bill that puts profits over patients. Congress must demand a funding plan that protects affordable health care, keeps the ACA strong and holds the line against giveaways to big insurers.

Every Nevadan deserves quality, affordable care, not higher costs and broken promises.”

SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

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