Some Southern Arizonans on Affordable Care Act worry premiums could dramatically rise if tax credits allowed to expire
Dr. Derksen interviewed
TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - Adena Hope Bank has been in Tucson 35 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and one of more than 400,000 Arizonans on the Affordable Care Act.
Her premiums for 2026 are set to jump substantially.
"I pay $731 a month right now and if I stay on the same plan, which really is a catastrophic plan at this point, it will go up to $1,083 a month," Bank said.
However, Bank, 62, considers herself lucky.
"I'm lucky enough, I make enough money, I will get insurance, but I know there are people who have to make the decision, whether they'll get insurance or not," she said.
Dr. Dan Derksen is professor in the University of Arizona's College of Public Health. He's also a family medicine doctor.
"By my analysis, of the 423,000 who are currently enrolled, Arizona could see a decrease in enrollment of 125,000 to 150,000 individuals losing their coverage because they can no longer afford their co-pays and deductibles," Dr. Derksen said.
Eight Senate Democrats voted with the GOP for the deal to reopen the government. Part of that deal included a vote in the U.S. Senate next month on extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies that run out at the end of the year. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson won't commit to health care vote in the House.
"We're going to do in the House what we always do which is a deliberative process," Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill. "We're going to have to find consensus on whatever their proposal is."
Three weeks ago, Arizona GOP Congressman Juan Ciscomani joined some House Republican colleagues in sending this letter to Speaker Johnson. It says the House should immediately take up take up the Affordable Care Act subsidies once the shutdown ends.
However, as she stares at rising costs, Bank is fearful and has little comfort.
"I feel angry, I feel afraid," Bank said. "For me, a small proprietor to be wedged like this is absolutely not acceptable and we are not taken care of."