Congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee Says 2,049,000 People in Texas are Eligible for Premium Tax Credits to Make Health Coverage Affordable

Press Release

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) announced that a new report released today by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 2,049,000 people in Texas will be eligible for premium tax credits to make their health coverage more affordable in the new Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014. The report also found that nationwide 17 million Americans will be eligible for these credits in 2014.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, 2,049,000 people in our state of Texas will qualify for financial help in purchasing health coverage in the new Marketplace in 2014," Congresswoman Jackson Lee said. "This nonpartisan report highlights how the Affordable Care Act is making affordable health coverage available for millions and millions more Americans. The high interest in the new Marketplaces demonstrates the enormous demand for access to affordable, quality health coverage among Americans without access to employer-provided coverage."

"These "premium tax credits' do not work like normal tax credits, which are provided when one files one's taxes. Instead, for all those qualifying for a premium tax credit in the Marketplace, the tax credit goes into effect instantly -- immediately reducing the premium they owe as soon as they enroll in a health plan, said Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

The nonpartisan report also estimates that 3,143,000 people in Texas could look to the new Marketplace as a place to purchase coverage. Nationwide, the report estimates that about 29 million people may look to the Marketplace for coverage.

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