“Rep. Lawler said he believes an extension is important, yet he’s standing in the way of the only viable path to one.” -Tracey, Pearl River
Today, a group of Congressman Mike Lawler’s constituents gathered outside his district office in Mahopac to call attention to the expiring health care tax credits that are set to raise insurance premiums for thousands of families across the Hudson Valley. Led by Tracey, a disabled cancer survivor from Pearl River, they delivered a petition signed by hundreds of constituents calling on Rep. Lawler to join the House discharge petition to extend the expiring credits. With 214 names, the discharge petition is currently just four signatures shy of forcing a vote on a 3-year extension. Even though Rep. Lawler has claimed he wants to tackle health care affordability and has supported other extension plans, he has refused to support the only proposal with a chance of succeeding.
December 15th is the final day for New Yorkers to enroll in health insurance plans with coverage beginning on January 1st. If Congressman Lawler allows the tax credits to expire, some Hudson Valley families could see their monthly premiums more than double, leaving thousands of his constituents without the means to afford health care or see their doctor.
Congressman Mike Lawler’s constituents delivered a signed petition to his office, calling on him to join the House discharge petition to extend expiring health care tax credits. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices
“I’m here today because I want to look Congressman Lawler’s staff in the eye when I hand over this petition signed by his very own constituents,” said Tracey, a cancer survivor and former tax credit recipient from Pearl River. “When I was uninsured, unemployed, and newly disabled in the wake of my cancer treatment, the enhanced tax credits were the only lifeline that allowed my two sons and me to afford the care we needed. Just this week, Rep. Lawler said he believes an extension is important, yet he’s standing in the way of the only viable path to one. New Yorkers are done with his empty promises—we need real action.”
“Everyone knows the cost of health care is insane. If I were to lose my insurance, my insulin could end up costing me thousands of dollars a year. I can’t afford that, but if I were forced to go without, I could die,” said Matthew, a type 1 diabetic and tax credit recipient from Cold Spring. “If Congressman Lawler gives a crap about the health and safety of his constituents, he needs to sign on to this discharge petition now! He says an extension is necessary? Then extend it. I don’t want to hear any of his lame excuses. I just want to be able to afford the medicine I need to live.”
If Congressman Lawler allows the tax credits to expire, some Hudson Valley families could see their monthly premiums more than double. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices
“For Congressman Lawler to claim that an extension of health care tax credits has no chance of passing is an absolutely pathetic excuse for his inaction,” said Margaret, a retired pediatric physical therapist from Carmel. “The discharge petition needs just four more signatures to force a vote on the bill. If Mike Lawler were truly concerned about lowering health care costs for families in his district, he wouldn’t be standing in the way of the only viable path to prevent this looming premium hike on New Yorkers.”
