ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Experts say roughly 1.4 million Georgians could see their health insurance premiums double if Affordable Care Act tax credits expire at the end of the year — a possibility that has small business owners and lawmakers on edge.

Local Impact

Sheri Barlow’s family has owned a small medical business in Albany for more than 40 years. Barlow spoke on a virtual press conference with Ga. Senator Ossoff, about the current looming financial strain on her practice. She said losing the credits would make it even harder to keep the business afloat and recruit qualified staff.

“When I looked at the letter, my heart just sank because it absolutely doubled,” Barlow said after receiving a notice showing projected premiums for next year. “When your insurance premiums double for yourself and employees, and the rate is set for business with Medicare and Medicaid, where do you pull it from? Do you pull it from your children’s college funds?”

Barlow said the tax credits have been an asset for recruiting nurses and other staff who are seeking health coverage and ways to qualify for programs. “I was floored when I saw the removal of these tax credits. They have been an asset to attracting employees, getting good nurses to come on because they’re looking for healthcare insurance and ways to qualify under programs.”

Compromise in D.C.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, who joined a virtual press conference with local health-care leaders, urged Congress to set aside partisan politics and extend the subsidies.

“It’s not even controversial among the American people: Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Ordinary people want us to extend these tax credits. So let’s put the partisan politics aside as we enter the holiday season — let’s unite and do what’s right for Georgians and Americans,” Ossoff said.

On the other side of the aisle, some Republican lawmakers have also signaled a willingness to work toward a compromise. In remarks. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri spoke to the press this week and said party leaders need to bring members together and hammer out an agreement.

“I would just urge the party’s leadership, the guys who control the floor. They got to get into a room and start hammering out a compromise. There’s a bunch of us willing and eager to find a way forward on this,” Hawley said.

What happens next

The Senate is scheduled to vote tomorrow on competing proposals — a GOP bill that would direct funds to health savings accounts and a Democratic bill to extend the ACA subsidy expiration. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the year, advocates warn many Georgians could face substantially higher premiums.

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