TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today voted “no” on the GOP budget bill as millions of Floridians face devastating health care cost increases due to Congressional Republicans’ and President Trump’s refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs).

“If the tax credit expires, millions of people with chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes will struggle to afford health care or lose coverage altogether.  All Floridians will be saddled with higher costs due to uncompensated care at hospitals and crowded emergency rooms. Florida hospitals strongly support extension of the health care tax credits.”

Florida is the epicenter of the fight:

• 4.7 million Floridians have affordable marketplace coverage in 2025 through the ACA plan – nearly one-fifth of the nation’s enrollees.
• Nearly 4.1 million Floridians (9 out of 10) rely on enhanced tax credits, including thousands of small business owners and self-employed workers.
• State insurers are finalizing 18.7–40.8% premium hikes because of Republican inaction. Families will soon see a notice when they go to buy coverage for 2026. 

This week, in an Energy and Commerce markup of seven bills, Castor introduced two amendments to keep health care costs and immunizations affordable for families. Read more here.