News · Press Release

AS SEEN ON WTKR: Advocates Blast Jen Kiggans for Failing to Prevent Health Care Costs from Skyrocketing

Kiggans’ constituents criticize her failure to extend ACA tax credits, demand she sign onto discharge petition to force a vote
Vulnerable Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is facing backlash from her own constituents as health care costs are set to spike.

Virginia Beach residents are sounding the alarm that there are “lives at stake” because of Kiggans failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. 

When asked what they think of Kiggans’ so-called support for an extension, one constituent pointed out that her words don’t match her actions: “Jen, you say that you are in support of these issues, but this is just another example where you’re not telling the truth. Your actions don’t signify what you actually believe.”

Read and watch the coverage for yourself:
  • At one of Virginia Beach’s busiest intersections, health care advocates gathered Saturday to urge Congress to protect federal tax credits that help people afford insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
  • Standing at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Independence Boulevard, demonstrators said time is running out for people who rely on premium tax credits to keep their coverage, including Virginia Beach resident Becky Roberts.
  • She said her monthly premiums are set to increase by about 110%, and she’s worried that higher premiums and copays will put basic care out of reach.
  • “I don’t think people really understand that there are lives at stake,” she said. “I’m not looking for a handout. I want to pay into it, but you know, not only is the premium going up, but the copay for everything is going to be going up also.”
  • Eddie Seay, who works with the organization, said the group’s message is aimed at Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Republican representing Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
  • Seay acknowledged that Kiggans has introduced legislation related to extending health care tax credits, but said she needs to go further by signing a discharge petition. This procedural step can force a bill to the House floor for a vote.
  • “The only way we can guarantee that the House of Representatives votes on those bills is that she sign a discharge petition asking for those bills to be presented to the floor of the House of Representatives,” Seay said.
  • “I would say, Jen, you say that you are in support of these issues, but this is just another example where you’re not telling the truth. Your actions don’t signify what you actually believe,” he said.
  • For people like Roberts, the fight is personal and ongoing. She said she plans to keep speaking out and pressing elected officials to protect access to affordable coverage. Advocates at Saturday’s rally said their goal is to prevent thousands of Virginians from being priced out of the health care they depend on.

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