Rep. Summer Lee Calls for Immediate Extension of ACA Tax Credits During Shadow Hearing 

(Link to video) 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – DECEMBER 2, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) participated in an Education and Workforce HELP Subcommittee Democratic shadow hearing titled “Republican Priorities: Billionaire Tax Breaks, Not Health Care for Working Families,” where she called for the urgent extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and renewed her push for Medicare for All. 

The shadow hearing convened health policy experts, patient advocates, and small business owners to discuss rising health care costs and the devastating consequences of failing to extend the ACA’s enhanced subsidies before the end of the year. 

During her remarks, Rep. Lee condemned Republican efforts to cut Medicaid and allow ACA tax credits to expire, warning that families across Western Pennsylvania and the country will see their premiums spike by thousands of dollars if Congress fails to act. 

“People are rationing care in America like they had to ration food in the Great Depression. They are deciding if they can even afford to get the MRI, let alone the treatment for whatever the MRI uncovers,” Lee said. “We are the only wealthy nation that has not figured out a universal healthcare system. We have so much research and data that shows a Medicare for all, single-payer system will not only allow more folks to get basic healthcare, but it’s significantly cheaper than what we have now. 

Rep. Lee highlighted that more than 24,000 residents in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District rely on ACA tax credits to afford coverage. Without congressional action, a 60-year-old couple in the district could see annual premiums rise by more than $12,000, while a working family of four could face increases exceeding $5,000. 

A central focus of Rep. Lee’s participation was the testimony of her constituent, Tori Baggot, a small business owner from Pittsburgh who relies on Pennie, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, to manage a chronic illness. Ms. Baggot currently pays $197 per month for coverage but would pay $2,400 more per year if the enhanced tax credits expire. 

“One of my constituents traveled all the way here from Pittsburgh today to let us know how important it is for Congress to fix healthcare. And in the immediate short-term, one of the things we must do is extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits so that folks don’t lose their healthcare in January,” Lee said. “I’m grateful you’re here today, Ms. Baggot, and I wish my Republican colleagues had joined us so they could hear your story too. But my Republican colleagues decided they would rather shut down the government for 42 days, the longest shutdown in history, than ensure my constituents could afford healthcare.” 

The hearing also featured testimony from Justin Giovannelli, Associate Research Professor and Project Director at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, and Katie Berge, Director of Federal Affairs at Blood Cancer United. 

Rep. Lee also pointed to a recent analysis by Center for American Progress, showing that 9 out of 10 low-income Americans enrolled in Marketplace coverage live in states that voted for Donald Trump in 2024—underscoring that the harm of letting tax credits expire will disproportionately hit working-class families, including in Republican-led states. 

“Just this summer, [Republicans] made the biggest Medicaid cuts in history to fund trillions in tax breaks for billionaires. When these cuts go into effect, over 17,000 people in my district will lose healthcare,” Lee said. “And when millions of people lose healthcare because republicans eliminate the ACA tax credits, cut Medicaid, and refuse the cheapest and most equitable healthcare model, Medicare for All, they will blame anyone and anything except for their failed policies.” 

Link to video HERE.