Olympia, WA – Ahead of the August 15th deadline to sign up for expanded health care savings, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released a report outlining new tax credit benefits available to residents of Washington’s 10th Congressional District as a result of the American Rescue Plan. WA-10 residents can enroll in or change plans to see more savings due to the COVID-19 emergency through Sunday, August 15th by visiting www.wahealthplanfinder.org or calling (855) 923-4633.
“Affordable health care should be accessible to everyone, but the hardships of the pandemic have put this in question for many in the South Sound,” said Congresswoman Strickland. “The expanded tax credits I helped fight for in the American Rescue plan will help keep Washingtonians insured as our nation battles the delta variant and recovers from the pandemic. I hope all eligible families in the South Sound sign up for these health care marketplace savings, so that we can expand coverage for those in need and build back better.”
The American Rescue Plan lowered health care costs for millions of Americans who regularly purchase private insurance by reducing premium contributions and expanding access to premium tax credits. Congresswoman Strickland is urging individuals and families in the district who are uninsured or who purchase their health insurance through the state-based marketplace to sign up for the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced tax credits before the August 15th deadline.
Below are the findings from the report prepared by the staff of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform:
- There are an estimated 22,000 people in the district who currently purchase health insurance on the individual market and could benefit from the American Rescue Plan.
- The average household could save an annual $3,400 in health insurance premiums.
- For example, a family with two individuals age 40, two children, and a household income of $75,000 could see their annual premiums for the benchmark Silver plan cut by over 40%, from $589 to $341, generating $2,976 in annual savings.
- Others in the district who were previously ineligible to receive tax credits but now qualify under the American Rescue Plan will also benefit. Their savings could be substantial, especially for older adults, who have historically paid the highest premiums.
- For example, a single individual age 64 who makes $52,000 could see annual premiums cut by 59%, from $898 to $368, generating $6,260 in annual savings.
- There are an estimated 24,000 uninsured individuals in the district eligible for tax credits under the American Rescue Plan.
- 17,000 of these individuals can now enroll in an ACA plan for less than $10 a month. If everyone with access to the plans with less than $10 premium enrolled in an ACA plan, this could cut the uninsured rate in Washington’s 10th by up to 33%, reducing the rate of uninsured people to 5.4%.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is the only African-American woman who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. She is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress and the first African-American to represent the Pacific Northwest at the federal level.
###
To unsubscribe from press releases, click here.