WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to an op-ed by House Republicans in The Detroit News, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) today highlighted data and personal stories demonstrating how over530,000 Michiganders, including 275,521 Michiganders in Republican-held Congressional Districts are at risk of higher health care prices or losing their health care coverage.
“House Republicans haven’t been to work in straight 32 days. If they want to negotiate on health care, I am right here in the Capitol, waiting,” said Slotkin. “The President’s Big, Beautiful Bill has caused a full-on health care crisis: if you are on a healthcare.gov plan in Michigan, your premiums could more than double in just a few months. Most others on private insurance are getting notices of increased premiums as of January. I simply can’t talk to Michiganders with a straight face if I don’t fight for their health care. If House Republicans want to negotiate, I am here, ready. Just need to get yourself to Washington and join me in working to lower health care costs for Michiganders.”
The expiration of enhanced subsidies will result in ACA marketplace enrollees facing skyrocketing premiums or losing coverage altogether. Slotkin has consistently fought to prevent the impending all-out health care crisis for Michiganders.
MI-01
Representative Jack Bergman
Representing 46,196 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a woman in Houghton, MI: “I have been putting off regular/needed visits for ongoing health issues (hormone/fertility) due to the cost of services. Regular doctor appointments are $50, and specialist appointments are $100. I am only able to afford the monthly premium because of the tax credits I have been able to use. The insurance premiums increase so much every year along with the copays that it gets increasingly difficult to keep up. We have been abandoning traditional medicine and learning how to do what we can naturally at home mainly because healthcare is unaffordable, and doctors don’t have the time to spend with us to make sure our problems are really getting resolved.”
MI-02
Representative John Moolenaar
Representing 34,353 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a health care retiree in Greenville, MI: “I retired in April after 40+ years in health care, my body just couldn’t take it anymore. I was told at that time that the marketplace would not be going away and being single I have no option to be covered by a spouse’s plan. Since then, my health is catching up to me, after years of taking care of others. I now won’t be able to afford to take care of myself.”
MI-04
Representative Bill Huizenga
Representing 38,364 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a woman in Kalamazoo, MI: “I have healthcare through the marketplace, and my employer does not provide it. I cannot afford higher insurance on my own and I need therapy and regular medications.”
MI-05
Representative Tim Walberg
Representing 34,578 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a woman in Adrian, MI: “I have had ACA insurance since it has started. Some are good years most are bad years. One pattern that seems to remain is the deductible continues to rise along with the cost of care. I can’t afford high premiums and high deductibles!”
MI-07
Representative Tom Barrett
Representing 31,641 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a widow in Howell, MI: “For the first time in my life, I am scared! I am 61 yrs old and my husband passed away. We were covered through his employer. It was too expensive, so I had to go to the marketplace. In order to afford it, I had to choose a plan with a $9,200 deductible. If something happens, it will be very difficult on me. If the cost doubles, I will not be able to afford health care.”
MI-09
Representative Lisa McClain
Representing 42,762 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a father in Lake Orion, MI: “I contacted [my insurer] and they informed me that the notice of increase will be sent out on Nov 1st. My AGI is about $86K, with a family of 4 puts me in a very bad position, with an estimated increase of about $600 per month to $1900 per month at 2025 rates.”
MI-10
Representative John James
Representing 47,627 ACA marketplace enrollees
Story from a small business owner in Saint Clair Shores, MI: “I am small business owner. I own a dance studio. I’m too young for Medicare and prior to the ACA was rejected 6 times for insurance based on being treated in the past for mild asthma. My current ACA plan will go from $530 a month to over $1,200 a month… Please Senator, keep fighting for us.”
Slotkin continues to ask every single Michigander to black out their name and personal information and share their health insurance rate increase by submitting their letter. All Michiganders are at risk of either losing their health care or paying more than they already have. In the coming weeks, individuals will start receiving letters from their insurance providers about how much their 2026 healthcare.gov plans will cost.
Data Source: Kaiser Family Foundation https://www.kff.org/quick-take/more-than-half-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees-live-in-republican-congressional-districts/
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