Durbin Calls Out Republicans For Health Care Premium Spikes, Shares Constituent Stories

Durbin Calls Out Republicans For Health Care Premium Spikes, Shares Constituent Stories

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a news conference at Access Living of Metro Chicago in response to the announcement that Affordable Care Act premiums for 2026 will skyrocket an average of nearly 80 percent across Illinois, due to Republicans in Congress refusing to extend a crucial tax credit policy that helps people nationwide afford health coverage. If these tax credits are allowed to expire, Illinoisans who purchase ACA plans in the northern part of the state will see their health insurance premiums double next year, whereas many people in southern parts of the state will see a tripling of their premiums.

Instead of meeting with Democrats to address this health care crisis, Republicans in Congress have shut down the federal government. If these enhanced tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage, including more than 140,000 people in Illinois.

"I have heard from countless concerned constituents about no longer being able to pay for their health care," said Durbin. "Families across our state, especially rural areas, will be devastated. On day 31 of this shutdown, I urge Congressional Republicans to join us at the table to negotiate a solution to ensure all Americans can access affordable, quality health care."

Durbin shared the following messages from constituents worries about losing their coverage.

"Please continue to hold the line on ACA subsidies. I just received my new marketplace quote from Get Covered Illinois and my wife and I are facing a 400+% premium increase. Roughly a third of our yearly gross income will be going to pay for coverage," said Mark from Sterling.

"My husband is self-employed and we purchase insurance for our family of 4 on the ACA Marketplace. Our insurance will increase by over $1500/month if the subsidies are eliminated," wrote a constituent from Rockford.

"I can no longer pay for my health insurance. It went from $361 to $1,774 a month. I am a cancer survivor and a retired disabled professional firefighter, I don't know what I'm going to do," wrote Bruce from Quincy.

This week, Durbin spoke on the Senate floor demanding that congressional Republicans work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which allow tens of millions of Americans nationwide to afford their health insurance premiums, including more than half a million Illinoisans.

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