SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Covered California insurance costs will rise if Congress doesn't renew the American Rescue Plan that is expected to expire at the end of this year.
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If Congress allows the American Rescue Plan to expire costs will rise for enrollees including doubling premiums on average for one million low-income California residents, according to a press release said. About three million Americans would lose their health insurance coverage, including 220,000 Californians, the release said.
"Millions of Americans are counting on Congress, as cutting the financial help that the law provides means many families will face the difficult choice of becoming uninsured and rolling the dice if they get injured or sick," Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California said.
Covered California customers' monthly premium was lowered by 20 % due to ARP from 2021 to 2022, the release said. In the U.S. monthly premiums were down 23% and hit an enrollment of 14.5 million people.
Middle-class families would not be eligible for any federal financial help if ARP expires. The analysis comes as Congress debates on whether to extend the law which provides increased financial help.
"The American Rescue Plan built on the Affordable Care Act and allowed more people than ever before to get the protection and peace of mind that quality health care coverage provides," Altman said. "Whether you are one of Covered California's record-high 1.8 million consumers, or you get your coverage directly from a health insurance company, you will be paying more next year if these subsidies are not extended."
Congress needs to act to approve the American Rescue Plan so it doesn't disrupt the upcoming Covered California renewal period that begins in October.
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