Horsford Marks 16 Years of the Affordable Care Act, Warns of Republican Healthcare Crisis Hitting Nevada Families

Las Vegas, NV. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today hosted a Healthcare Not Warfare Day of Action roundtable at Alonso Medical Center to mark the 16^th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to sound the alarm on the Republican-driven healthcare crisis that is forcing thousands of Nevada families to choose between their health and putting food on the table. 

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the ACA into law, expanding coverage to millions of Americans, ending abusive insurance practices, and protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied care. Sixteen years later, Congressional Republicans have ended ACA premium tax credits, sending premiums skyrocketing for working Nevadans, and enacted deep cuts to Medicaid in the Big Ugly Law. 

The roundtable brought together healthcare providers, community leaders, and advocates to discuss the real-world impact of Republican healthcare cuts on Southern Nevada families and communities. 

“Health care is a not a privilege – it is a right. Sixteen years ago, Democrats made health care more accessible and more affordable for the American people. Today, Republicans have ripped that progress away from Nevada families who can’t afford to spend $1,800 each month for health insurance,” Rep. Horsford said, “I will continue to meet with health care leaders all year to fight every attack on health care and to make affordability a reality, not just a promise.”

Republicans’ decision to end the ACA tax credits and cut Medicaid has had a devasting impact on NV-04 constituents: 

• 28,142 people in NV-04 will lose health coverage – 23,142 due to Medicaid cuts in the Big Ugly Law, and 5,000 due to the elimination of enhanced ACA tax credits
• A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 per year will see annual premiums rise by $17,263 – a 239% increase
• A family of four earning $66,000 per year will see annual premiums rise by $2,651 – a 188% increase
• A family of four earning $133,750 per year will see annual premiums rise by $8,911 – a 79% increase. 

Since the ACA was enacted, Nevada has seen historic gains in healthcare access. However, Congressional Republicans have stunted growth due to their inaction to extend the Advanced ACA Premium Tax Credits. They have refused to act to restore affordable coverage for 85,000 Nevadans. Although Congressional Democrats passed an extension earlier this year, the Senate has refused to act. 

Congressman Horsford has introduced three additional pieces of legislation to lower costs for families: 

• The Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025 (H.R. 2553) would cap annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families beginning in 2026.
• The Lower Drug Costs for Families Act (H.R. 2554) would expand prescription drug inflation rebates to the commercial market, requiring drug manufactures to pay back excess price increases to lower costs for all insured Americans.
• The Affordable Insulin Now Act (H.R. 6255) would extend the $35 insulin cap to all Americans with private insurance.

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. This is their economy, this is their war, and this is their healthcare crisis,” Rep. Horsford continued. “They said they had a plan to fix health care just like they said they would bring down the cost of living on Day One. None of that has happened. At a time when the cost of health care has doubled or tripled, Republicans are spending $2 billion a day on war of choice. House Democrats will never stop fighting to restore the enhanced ACA tax credits, protect Medicaid, and lower costs for every Nevadan.”