[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTHCARE IS REAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 17, 2025

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the President and the 
Congressional Republicans have passed a bill, the Big Ugly Bill and 
signed into law on July 4, 2025 that would cut more than 1.5 trillion 
dollars toward investing in our families, children, and seniors' 
healthcare. In addition, purging 15 million Americans from insurance 
coverage, denying Medicaid and SNAP benefits for the poor and needy and 
diminishing funds to Medicare for the elderly, the disabled, and the 
disease individuals who desperately need support to live.
  As Americans face a Republican-manufactured health care crisis, 
skyrocketing costs from Trump's tariffs and a weakening economy, 
Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax 
credits for working class families, which will expire December 31, 
2025. I include in the Record a note from a constituent named Shemeka 
who captures how devastating the loss of the enhanced tax credits will 
be for her family.

       ``I am a single mother with a daughter who has just begun 
     her freshman year of college.
       Access to healthcare is absolutely essential to me and my 
     family. I am a full-time employee in the inner city of 
     Chicago where wages are modest, however employer-paid 
     healthcare is not offered. Because of this, we rely on the 
     Marketplace for affordable health coverage. Even with a 
     budget focused solely on basic necessities, we are still 
     struggling to maintain affordable healthcare. The current 
     federal tax credits are what make it possible for us to have 
     even the most basic health insurance, and additional credits 
     are truly needed.
       Without these federal tax credits, we would be placed in an 
     extremely vulnerable position. Accessing affordable 
     healthcare would become almost impossible, and the stability 
     of our lives would be at serious risk. These tax credits are 
     not just helpful they are essential. It is unimaginable to 
     consider life without them.
       Thank you again for your leadership and for allowing me the 
     opportunity to lift my voice on this critical issue.''

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