Mark Kelly Warns Over 100,000 Arizonans Could Lose Healthcare

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Senator Mark Kelly is warning that more than 100,000 state residents could lose their health insurance if Congress doesn't extend federal tax credits that help people afford coverage.

"If we don't extend these tax credits, premiums could double," he warned on social media. "More than 100,000 Arizonans could lose health care. Families shouldn't be one illness or accident away from bankruptcy."

His statement comes as the federal government enters its second week of shutdown with no agreement on extending the tax credits that make Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance affordable.

Immediate Impact

Mark Kelly estimates monthly health insurance costs could increase by $475 if the credits expire on November 1st. This jump could force approximately 109,000 Arizona residents to drop their coverage.

"What that means is those folks, those families including kids, they are one accident or one illness away from being bankrupt," Kelly explained in a video shared on social media.

The enhanced tax credits work like a discount on monthly insurance bills, helping Arizonans and about 20 million Americans nationwide afford marketplace coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates roughly 4 million people could lose insurance by year's end without the credits.

The shutdown began last week when Senate Democrats, including Kelly, opposed a Republican spending bill that would have reopened the government but didn't include the healthcare tax credit extension.

The bill needed 60 votes to pass, but fell short.

Kelly’s Defense

"It doesn't matter where you live or who you vote for: everyone wants health care they can afford for their family," he said. "That's why a vast majority of Americans support extending tax credits to keep premiums from skyrocketing."

Kelly then blamed Republican leadership for the situation, explaining that "Trump and Republicans shut the government down instead of working with us to do exactly that."

As the November 1 deadline approaches, Arizona families depending on marketplace insurance await congressional action.

Ericka Piñon

Ericka Pinon is a state and federal reporter for Cactus Politics. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is currently studying Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.