Dear Health Advocates,
Today, the House passed the bipartisan spending package that the Senate passed late last week, ending the partial government shutdown that began over the weekend. The bill funds the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education through September, but only funds Homeland Security for two weeks. Once passed, Congress will then take the next two weeks to negotiate longer term funding for DHS, with Democrats insisting that it include reforms to the agency. Despite the enhanced premium tax credits not making it into this spending package, it does not put a stop to our fight for affordability. See our statement from Families USA's Executive Director Anthony Wright here.
Newly Launched! Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care
As we have heard from so many Americans across the country, health care costs are way too high. Premiums have skyrocketed because the enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and corporate greed is at the root of skyrocketing health care costs.
As part of our continuing drumbeat around affordability, Families USA launched a new campaign: Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care! The goal of the campaign is to get candidates running for office in 2026 to commit to bringing down the cost of health care. Stop the Bleed will activate Families USA partners and advocates across the country to join us in engaging candidates in this effort.
To make this campaign launch official, Families USA will be hosting a Stop the Bleed campaign launch call next Wednesday, February 11, where you will hear about our plan to hold candidates for office across the country accountable in this year’s elections, and how you can get involved by asking them one simple question: What will you do to hold health care corporations accountable for high health costs? Register here!
You can find resources and ways to take action on our brand new campaign page, Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care, and check out our campaign launch here.
