Rep. Cartwright Releases New Report Detailing Health Care Savings from American Rescue Plan for Northeastern Pennsylvanians

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) released a new report detailing estimates of what residents of Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District can save on average on health insurance as a result of the American Rescue Plan, which Rep. Cartwright helped pass in March. As he released the report, Rep. Cartwright was joined outside his Scranton office by Colleen Gallagher, a small business owner from Scranton, and Lesley Geyer, an independent school-based occupational therapist from Drums -- two of his constituents whose premiums were reduced significantly after the enactment of the American Rescue Plan.

The American Rescue Plan has lowered health care costs for millions of Americans who purchase insurance on ACA marketplaces by reducing premiums and expanding access to premium tax cuts.

"The American Rescue Plan has lowered health care costs and cut taxes for tens of thousands of Northeastern Pennsylvanians. This is critical relief for working people trying to get back on track during this pandemic," said Rep. Cartwright. "In Congress, I'm going to keep working to make these ACA enhancements permanent beyond 2022, because no one in the wealthiest country in the world should have to choose between going to the doctor and putting food on the table."

Colleen Gallagher told Rep. Cartwright that she is a small business owner who used the ACA to get health insurance as she changed careers. After the American Rescue Plan reforms were enacted, her premiums fell to $15.

"A few years ago, I took advantage of the Affordable Care Act to be able to purchase health insurance so that I could branch out on my own to start my small business. This year, the American Rescue Plan saved me hundreds of dollars a month on that coverage," said Gallagher. "I am glad to see that Congressman Cartwright is working hard to make those savings permanent. Business owners like me can use the help."

Lesley Geyer, a school-based occupational therapist from Drums, PA, had health insurance through her husband's employer-sponsored coverage until his retirement four years ago. She told Rep. Cartwright she has relied on the ACA since then, and saw her monthly premiums decrease from nearly $700 per month to $378 per month after the American Rescue Plan was enacted.

"The Affordable Care Act helped me find coverage when my husband retired. I didn't need to worry about pre-existing conditions, which was great, but the premiums kept rising," said Geyer. "I had to dip into my retirement savings to make ends meet. Now, because of the American Rescue Plan, my premium costs are nearly half of what they were. If the reforms end and the price of my plan goes up significantly, I will again have to use retirement savings to cover the cost of my insurance until I am eligible for Medicare. We need to make the reforms permanent."

"Rep. Cartwright works tirelessly in Congress for Pennsylvania's healthcare consumers," said Robin Stelly, an organizer with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. "Thanks to his YES vote on the American Rescue Plan Act, tens of thousands of people across the state and thousands here in Northeastern Pennsylvania are able to purchase health insurance that they can actually afford to use. More than half of Pennie insurance premiums now cost less than $1. Our challenge now is to make those reforms permanent, and we know that Rep. Cartwright is fighting to make that happen."

Findings from today's report:

An estimated 28,000 Northeastern Pennsylvanians who purchase private health insurance on the marketplace could benefit from expanded tax credits in the American Rescue Plan
The average NEPA household could save $3,300 a year in health insurance premiums:
For example, a family with two parents age 40, two children and a household income of $75,000 could see their monthly premium cut nearly in half by 40%, generating $2,976 in annual savings
Older Americans, who historically pay the highest premiums, who were previously ineligible to receive tax credits now qualify under the American Rescue Plan
For example, an individual age 64 who makes $52,000 could see monthly premiums cut by 61%, generating $6,888 in annual savings
18,000 uninsured PA-08 constituents are eligible for tax credits under the American Rescue Plan, including an estimated 14,000 who can now enroll in an ACA plan at no cost
The full report can be found HERE.

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