Senator Durbin warns of $200 monthly rate hike for Illinois ACA enrollees

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Open enrollment for insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act begins tomorrow, and Illinois families are expected to face higher rates, according to Senator Dick Durbin.

Expiring tax credits for the Affordable Care Act have become a focal point in the ongoing debate amid the government shutdown. Durbin has warned that an average family could see their rates increase by more than $200 a month.

“We believe we have to act on this. The Republicans have answered by saying, ‘we’ll get around to it later.’ Later is not good enough. It’s an immediate problem, and it’s one that families have to make decisions,” he said.

Durbin claims that such an increase in rates could lead to at least 150,000 Illinoisans losing their coverage. The tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year are central to this issue.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed willingness to negotiate measures to keep premiums down, but they have stated that negotiations will not occur until the government is reopened.

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