Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
Keep Americans Covered, a coalition of major health care groups, launched a seven-figure ad campaign Monday, pushing for the need to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that are due to expire this year.
Why it matters: The campaign ramps up pressure on Republicans to address expiring premium subsidies that have contributed to significant health coverage gains in red states.
What they're saying: "When most Americans start the day, they aren't worried about losing their health care. But for some the worry starts early," a narrator intones in a video ad.
- "For those who buy coverage on their own, the health care tax credit is a lifeline. But if Congress doesn't act to renew the tax credit this year, the cost of health coverage for 24 million working people could rise 93%."
Context: The Keep Americans Covered coalition includes major health groups across the insurance, physician and hospital sectors.
- Members include AHIP, FAH, AMA and AARP.
- Keep Americans Covered said the ad campaign will cover D.C. and more than a dozen markets, but didn't elaborate.
Between the lines: Sen. Thom Tillis said last week that he was open to working with Democrats on extending the ACA premium tax credits in a bipartisan package after reconciliation is over.
- In doing so, he became the second Republican senator to publicly endorse an extension, following Lisa Murkowski.
