Virginia's Health Care System on the Brink of Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Protect Our Care Virginia hosted a roundtable on Tuesday to sound the alarm on the impending expiration of enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will drive up health care costs for Virginians and impact the entire health care system. The expiration of EPTC will lead to 106,000 Virginians dropping out of the Virginia Marketplace, resulting in increased premiums for the remaining pool and further strain on free clinics and community health centers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The expiration of enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will drive up health care costs for Virginians, with 106,000 expected to drop out of the Virginia Marketplace.
  • This will lead to increased premiums for the remaining pool and further strain on free clinics and community health centers.
  • Republican-led policies, including the expiration of EPTC, are causing a perfect storm of health care cuts that compound one another, resulting in reduced access to care for vulnerable populations.
  • The loss of EPTC will lead to countless conversations and tough decisions over dinner tables across Virginia about whether to pay for health care or use money for other essentials.
  • Replicating these subsidies at the state level would cost nearly $230 million, a significant burden on state budgets.
  • Breast cancer screenings, colon cancer screenings, and cervical cancer screenings drop off when people are uninsured, leading to later-stage diagnoses and increased costs.
  • Taking away ACA credits and limiting access to care is causing people to become uninsured, fall prey to their illnesses, and fall out of the workforce.
  • Small businesses like The Flower Guy Bron are at risk of increased costs and financial strain if the credits are removed.
  • Families like those of Ronni Moss, an employee of The Flower Guy Bron, may struggle to manage health care costs alongside other expenses.
  • Karen Legato, Executive Director of Health Brigade, emphasized the need to address the access issue tied to clinics that are already maxed out.
  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Executive Director Jamie Lockhart highlighted the unprecedented attack on public-health infrastructure, with 1.1 million patients at risk of losing access to essential services.

Statistics:

  • 106,000 Virginians are expected to drop out of the Virginia Marketplace if the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC) expire.
  • The loss of ACA Marketplace coverage due to the end of enhanced credits is estimated to be around 100,000 people in Virginia.
  • Around 50,000 of those who lose coverage will remain uninsured.
  • Replicating these subsidies at the state level would cost nearly $230 million.
  • 1.1 million patients may lose access to essential services, including birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and wellness visits.
  • The Title X program cuts mean fewer clinics, longer waits, and more confusion for patients who depend on these services.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)
  • Protect Our Care Virginia
  • KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)
  • TCI Policy Director Freddy Mejia
  • Dr. Patricia Cook, Chief Medical Officer at Daily Planet
  • Bron Hansboro, owner of The Flower Guy Bron
  • Ronni Moss, employee of The Flower Guy Bron
  • Karen Legato, Executive Director of Health Brigade
  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Executive Director Jamie Lockhart