This week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is fighting for legislation that drastically lowers health care costs for working families in Northwest Washington state.
“More than 25,000 people in Northwest Washington state will see their health care costs skyrocket in 2026 and health care costs for everyone will go up unless Congress takes action,” said Rep. Larsen. “Republicans creating a health care crisis is unacceptable.”
In Northwest Washington state, more than 25,000 residents receive tax credits averaging $1,325 per person per year to be able to afford insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If Congress does not extend those tax credits before December 31, 2025, those residents will see their average net premium costs increase by sixty percent. It will cause an estimated 80,000 people across Washington state to lose their health insurance, further straining the health care system and increasing costs for all.
Last month, Rep. Larsen met with Kathryn Sutton, a Bellingham resident who owns a small business with her husband and relies on the ACA tax credit to afford health insurance. “This year, with the premium tax credit, [my husband and I] are paying about $30,000 for our insurance for our family,” said Mrs. Sutton. “Next year we anticipate without the credits that we’re looking at anywhere from $50-55,000 a year for insurance… We have been fiscally conservative all our life, we don’t have any debt, we are working hard to get our kids through college, and to be in a position I can’t even afford basic insurance… it’s frustrating.”
A recording of Mrs. Sutton’s full story is available here.
Other Northwest Washington state residents shared their stories about the importance of the ACA tax credit anonymously:
Snohomish County: “My husband's kidneys failed the week we were moving to Washington. I'm now the sole earner, and with autoimmune conditions of my own I cannot work full time. I'm the sole earner and my husband is now on Medicare at 52 as he does dialysis for 4.5 hours 3 days/week. It leaves him weak and dizzy. I sincerely don't know how we'd make it without subsidies. I really don't. I'm trying not to dwell on what that would mean for us. Please don't allow these lawmakers to stop this support, it will be detrimental for millions of people, including most that are worse off than we are.”
Island County: “I work as a Pizza Delivery Driver or I used to at a papa johns, but they have since changed me to an instore and cut my hours back as of the last few weeks my last paycheck was about 400 USD, so yea my monthly bills are currently 800 USD(rent, food, gas, health insurance), if this credit is removed then my monthly bills will jump to 1300 USD, if this happens I will go broke, & I don't know what I'll do. I am very scared now.”
Whatcom County: “I would not have been able to become the successful small business owner I am without subsidized health care. As a female in my 50s the rates for healthcare were prohibitive, and I didn't have the capital to spend that much while launching my business. Each year, as my business becomes more successful, the subsidy reduces.”
“Sixty-one percent of Americans oppose the Big Ugly Law because it takes health care away from 17 million people and shuts down rural hospitals,” said Rep. Larsen. “Now, Republicans are doubling down on taking health care away from hard-working people in their government funding bill. I will continue to fight to lower the cost of health care and the cost of living for the families I represent.”
Families in Northwest Washington state are already feeling the impact of the Big Ugly Law as health care providers brace for the impact of funding cuts.
- Providence Swedish laid off more than 100 nursing assistants in Everett, citing cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in the Big Ugly Law as part of the reason for the decision.
- Seattle Children’s Hospital laid off staff in Everett because of federal funding cuts in the Big Ugly Law.
- Island Health in Anacortes expects Big Ugly Law funding cuts to cost millions, threatening its long-term sustainability.
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