John, a new Gallup healthcare poll found 57 percent of voters—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—approve of the Affordable Care Act and want to see its tax credits extended. Another poll, from Morning Consult, found that 3 in 5 voters want to see the credits extended. The polls show us what we already know: The ACA tax credits have been helping to keep costs down for working people and ensuring coverage for millions of families.

There is more to be done to make life more affordable for voters, but without these tax credits, healthcare will be unaffordable and out of reach.

This Thursday, the Senate is voting on an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Click here to tell your senators to vote yes to extend these ACA tax credits and make healthcare affordable.

This vote is about healthcare, of course, but it’s also about dignity and basic economic security. Estimates show that in 2026 Americans will see their healthcare costs rise by 26 percent on average, and millions who are now receiving tax credits to help purchase coverage on the ACA exchanges will see their costs rise 114 percent without those tax credits. Millions of people will no longer be able to afford insurance, creating a healthcare crisis at a time when Americans are already struggling with affordability.

Let’s be clear: Failing to extend these ACA tax credits will lead to nearly 5 million people losing coverage, premiums doubling for millions more, and nearly 9,000 people dying.

Write to your senators before the vote on Thursday.

Democrats went to bat to protect healthcare time and again when the government was shut down, demanding that we make care more affordable. With this vote, we have the chance to extend these tax credits and give millions of Americans the financial help they need to afford healthcare.

We cannot allow the government to abandon its duties yet again. We must strengthen, not abandon, healthcare for families. Tell your senators to vote YES on extending the ACA tax credits.

The Affordable Care Act was passed to ensure that no working family would be one illness away from destitution. We must protect these tax credits and help families afford the care they need.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President