On Thursday night, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years, a critical policy that helps millions of people afford health insurance coverage. This extension passed with support from all House Democrats and 17 House Republicans in a bipartisan vote of 230-196.

Now the bill moves to the Senate, where the decision on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits is critical for patients, nurses, and communities across Ohio. These tax credits make health insurance affordable for millions of working families, older adults not yet eligible for Medicare, and people managing chronic conditions. Without them, premiums will rise sharply, forcing many patients to delay care, skip medications, or lose coverage altogether.

From the bedside, nurses see the real-world consequences when cost becomes a barrier to care: preventable hospitalizations, overcrowded emergency departments, and worsening health outcomes. Extending ACA tax credits helps keep patients insured, supports continuity of care, and reduces uncompensated care that strains hospitals and the healthcare workforce.

Simply put, extending ACA tax credits protects patient access to care, strengthens Ohio’s healthcare system, and supports the work nurses and health professionals do every day. This is why Senate action is urgent—and why ONA members’ voices matter right now.