These days, it seems like the cost of everything is going up—from the grocery store to the gas pump. The last thing people can afford right now is more expensive health care.

What’s happening? Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have created a health care emergency that they’re now refusing to address. When Republicans cut $1 trillion from health care programs this summer, they robbed health care from over 15 million people. [1] Now, the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits—which help 24 million people afford health care—are also under threat, putting affordable health care at even greater risk. [2]

While families brace for rising health care costs, Trump, Republicans in Congress, and their billionaire besties have prioritized millions of dollars in funding for a gilded ballroom at the White House, tax breaks for billionaires, and private jets for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. [3] [4] As they slash funding for health care, Trump and Republicans in Congress have poured funding into separating families, committing human rights abuses, and detaining immigrants—people essential to our care workforce, our economy and our future. American families need health care, not lavish luxuries for people who are already wealthy, and not cruelty on the taxpayer dime.

Instead of addressing the Republican-manufactured health care crisis and delivering essential funding to lifesaving health care programs, Republican leaders in Congress have doubled down on these cuts, even shutting down the government out of unwillingness to negotiate. In fact, Republican leaders have sent members of Congress on vacation, at the same time as Trump is overseas—all while health care costs climb and coverage remains at risk. We have to hold Trump and Republicans in Congress accountable for their twisted priorities that directly attack American families while giving handouts to billionaires.

*We know that lawmakers read their local newspapers to see what is on the minds of the people in their districts, that’s why it’s critical for you to take action now and submit a letter to the editor to stop the health care heist!

This is a critical moment to come together in support of health care: open enrollment, the period when people sign up for health care for 2026, starts November 1. When millions of people log on to the ACA Marketplace to start shopping for their next plan, many will be shocked to learn that their health insurance costs have skyrocketed—doubling or, in some cases, tripling! Some will find the costs unaffordable and drop their insurance altogether, while others will be forced to make painful choices about how to pay for care.

At the same time, our movement to protect health care is gaining momentum AND has public opinion on our side. When people learn about the damage that Trump and Republicans are inflicting, Americans broadly favor protecting health care. [5] It’s up to us to inform our communities about the rising cost of health care and Democrats’ fight to defend care. We must call on lawmakers to reopen the government and call out Republicans who are making things worse and prolonging the shutdown by going on vacation.

The pre-drafted letter (which you can edit and add your own thoughts and story to when you click the link) simply says:

With the cost of everything from housing to utility bills to groceries going up, the last thing America’s families can afford is more expensive health care. But when open enrollment starts November 1st, millions of families are about to learn that their health care costs have surged.

We’re in a health care emergency that is a result of policy choices made by Republican leaders in Congress. Over the summer, Trump and Republicans in Congress slashed over $1 trillion from Medicaid, terminating coverage for 15 million people. Now, they are cutting tax credits that lower health care costs for millions of working families, and 24 million of us are facing skyrocketing health care premiums.

Instead of working to lower health care prices, Republicans in Congress have doubled down, shuttering the government because they are unwilling to negotiate to stop these cuts. While families brace for rising costs and lack of care, Trump, Republicans in Congress, and their billionaire besties have prioritized millions of dollars in funding for a gilded ballroom at the White House, tax breaks for the wealthy, and private jets for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. As they slash funding for health care, Trump and Republicans in Congress have poured funding into separating families, committing human rights abuses, and terrifying hardworking immigrants—people essential to our health care workforce, our economy, and our future. This is nothing short of a health care heist and a betrayal of American families.

Congress has a clear path to prevent this health care crisis by restoring health care funding, making the ACA tax credits permanent, and ending the government shutdown. It’s time for Republican leaders in Congress to work together to stop the health care heist and make sure prices don’t go up even more.

The more people who speak out, the bigger our impact. Please take a moment to share our action link with your friends and family.

- Felicia, Donna, Kristin, Olivia, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team

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