ICYMI: ‘Pappas: Lack of ACA tax credit deal leaves NH families facing ‘real financial pain’’

In case you missed it, Manchester Ink Link reported on the roundtable discussion Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) held with three New Hampshire women to discuss the impact already facing families across New Hampshire if Congress fails to extend the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Due to impending massive increases to families’ health insurance costs, Granite Staters are being forced to consider going without coverage, putting off costly medical procedures, leaving their jobs, moving homes, and choosing between food and health care. 

Read the full story from Manchester Ink Link here.

Key Excerpts:

• Each of the women have received notifications that their health insurance costs may go up next year and they each feared what might happen if nothing is done soon in Washington.
• Barrington resident Jenny Belmont Earl has two disabled children, stating that recent hikes on the price of day-to-day items has forced her family to cut back on Christmas expenses, adding that she now expects her health insurance costs to triple as well.
• Earl said that prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, she wasn’t able to afford a home in New Hampshire because she and her spouse did not have insurance through their jobs. Without help from the Affordable Care Act benefits, that choice may return if a job that offers insurance benefits cannot be found near Barrington.
• Nicole Sheaff from Exeter also has several disabled children and her husband has a history of relatives dying from diabetes-related health complications… “There were times that we went without insurance (in the past) and just prayed that people didn’t get hurt,” said Sheaff.
• Amanda Carter of Peterborough said she is expecting her premiums to climb 277% in 2026, with a significant procedure that cannot be done before January set to cost $7,000.
• She [Carter] said that she may have to choose between that procedure and food for her family, although delaying the procedure could harm the people she helps as a kinship navigator at the River Center, a role where she often helps people navigate the complicated path taken by disadvantaged families to receive government assistance.
• Pappas added that action on the Affordable Care Act tax extensions could not wait until the next vote on the continuing resolution keeping the government open comes on Jan. 30, as that would come after the 2026 Affordable Care Act plan enrollment period.