MAHOPAC – Groups of Hudson Valley residents visited Republican Congressman Michael Lawler’s district offices in Mahopac and Pearl River Wednesday to deliver a symbolic ‘bill,’ totaling up the increased health care costs that his constituents will now pay thanks to the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Protestors alleged because the Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess lawmaker refused to support a three-year extension until the very last minute, the credits expired, and thousands of families are now paying hundreds of dollars more each month for their insurance premiums.
Organizers of the rallies charged the loss of the tax credits is expected to cost vulnerable New Yorkers in the 17th Congressional District more than $4.5 million in higher premiums each year.
Retired health care worker Eve, standing outside Carmel Town Hall said, “Because Congressman Lawler allowed the tax credits to expire, families in his district who were already struggling to afford their insurance premiums are now paying the price and being charged hundreds of dollars more each month which means families tightening already-strained budgets, rationing care, or even being forced to drop their coverage altogether.”
Eve charged the pain was “preventable, but Congressman Lawler sat back and refused to act until it was too late. He needs to get it over the finish line and passed into law.”
Another protestor, cancer survivor Tracey, charged that “Mike Lawler sat on his hands and refused to take action to prevent our insurance premiums from going through the roof. For weeks, we called on him to sign the discharge petition on a three-year extension, and where was he? On cable news, trying to score political points like this was some sort of game. Now, he wants to take credit for getting on board once it was already too late. He made this mess, and now it’s his responsibility to clean it up.”
The House is expected to vote today on the legislation.
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