Guest Columnist – Millions Will Lose Coverage Unless Congress Acts

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Diana Pineda/CEO Vuela For Health

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Having comprehensive, affordable health insurance is essential for our physical, financial, and emotional well-being. It allows people to get annual checkups, receive medical care before an illness can turn into a hospital stay, and detect diseases like cancer early, when chances of survival are higher, and treatment costs are lower.

Unfortunately, millions of people will see their monthly skyrocket premiums, and millions will lose their health coverage if Congress does not act soon.

Millions Will Lose Coverage Unless Congress Acts

OPINION | Diana Pineda, Founder and CEO of VUELA por Salud

People without employer-provided insurance, who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid or who do not yet qualify for Medicare, have access to comprehensive coverage through the health insurance Marketplaces, such as Connect for Health Colorado.

Most people with Marketplace coverage are middle- and working-class families. Nearly half are small business owners, employees of small businesses, or self-employed workers. In Colorado, almost 20% of small business employees and about 12% of small business owners are Hispanic. It’s deeply concerning that the enhanced tax credits that help many of these families afford their Marketplace coverage are set to expire at the end of this year.

According to the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), if Congress does not extend these enhanced tax credits, most people enrolled in Connect for Health Colorado will see an average premium increase of 101% in 2026. In other words, their premium costs will double.

With Open Enrollment beginning November 1st, many people will be forced to make heartbreaking decisions in an already challenging economic environment: pay more for their health coverage or cover other basic needs. In many cases, the cost will be so high that they’ll have no choice but to go without insurance altogether. For those living with chronic diseases, that would be devastating.

Millions Will Lose Coverage Unless Congress Acts

As a promoter and executive director of VUELA for Health, an organization that helps members of our Latino community lead healthier lives, enroll in health insurance plans and get screened for cancer and diabetes, I know firsthand that having health insurance can mean the difference between life and death.

That’s why I’m joining volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in urging Congress, especially Representatives Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, to prevent this by extending the enhanced premium tax credits.

Based on DOI estimates, approximately 225,000 people who get their health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado rely on health care tax credits to lower their premiums. I’m urging our Members of Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits before many of our family members, friends and neighbors lose their only option for affordable coverage and access to lifesaving care.

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