Tell Us Your Story
WASHINGTON, DC – The open enrollment period for health insurance started on Nov. 1 in most states. However, Congress remains at a standstill over extending the enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, which expire at the end of this year. The enhanced tax credits greatly improved health insurance enrollment and make insurance more affordable for millions of individuals and their families. By allowing these tax credits to expire, more than 24 million Americans will see their premiums rise by $1,000 or more.
As the shutdown continues, more and more families will also lose their SNAP access. Full SNAP funding ceased on Nov. 1 and is only restored when Congress funds and reopens the government. Over the weekend, the courts ordered the Trump Administration to give partial or full SNAP payments. The Trump Administration announced today that it will give families partial payments drawn from a lawfully designated SNAP emergency fund, which the administration previously refused to do.
Federal workers, who have dedicated their careers to public service, have also been unable to perform critical functions to keep our communities safe and are working without pay or are being illegally fired. Meanwhile, on top of the expiring tax credits, many vulnerable immigrants, including some Southeast Asian Americans, will soon lose access to health care when the eligibility changes that Congress passed in July’s reconciliation law kick in.
“It is unconscionable that the health, safety, and survival of communities across America are threatened because the White House and Congressional leadership refuse to ensure millions of Americans have affordable access to health care. The health and wellness of our children and families should not be up for negotiation,” responds Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of SEARAC. “Additionally, this Administration cannot let our communities go hungry because it cannot find a resolution to the shutdown. Rather than pouring excessive funds into ICE and CBP operations that harm our communities, we urge the President to redirect this money to help ensure families in America can meet their basic needs, especially food security, until this Administration and Congress extend ACA tax credits and reopen the federal government. SEARAC urges this Administration and Congress to pass a funding bill that reopens the government, protects access to health care, and supports the recovery and well-being of our communities.”
Share your story
SEARAC remains committed to uplifting Southeast Asian American communities and ensuring that our stories are heard. We invite you to share your story:
- Fill out this Google form and tell SEARAC if your health care costs are going up:
- Are your monthly premiums for 2026 increasing? By how much?
- Are you considering changes to your health insurance plan because of challenges with affordability?
- Share your story directly to your elected officials. Remember, they represent you!
You can enroll in or change your health insurance plan during open enrollment
Residents of most states can enroll at healthcare.gov. If you live in one of the below states or territories, your state may have a different beginning and end date for open enrollment, and you should enroll through your state’s marketplace:
- California: Covered CA
- Colorado: Connect for Health Colorado
- Connecticut: Access Health CT
- District of Columbia: DC Health Link
- Idaho: Your Health Idaho
- Kentucky: kynect
- Maine: CoverME
- Maryland: Maryland Health Connection
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Health Connector
- Minnesota: MNSure
- Nevada: Nevada Health Link
- New Jersey: Get Covered NJ
- New Mexico: BeWellnm
- New York: New York State of Health
- Pennsylvania: Pennie
- Rhode Island: Health Source RI
- Vermont: Vermont Health Connect
- Virginia: Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace
- Washington: Washington Health Plan Finder
