PERSPECTIVE
Congress Can Help Make Affordable Care a Reality
Congress faces looming decisions on healthcare for gig workers
BY MARTI ALLEN-CUMMINGS
Access to affordable
health care is personal.
For too long, people
living on the margins,
particularly those in the performing
arts and LGBTQIA+ community,
have not had access to the
coverage they deserve. Thankfully,
Congress acted earlier this year to
make health care more accessible
by enhancing marketplace tax
credits in the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA).
However, these subsidies will
expire at the end of 2022 unless
Congress acts now. If that happens,
enrollees could see their
premiums double, according to
a new report from the Kaiser Family
Foundation. That’s a price that’s
too high for anyone to pay.
I come from a vibrant community
of gig workers. Since we do
Marti Allen-Cummings is urging lawmakers to prioritize health coverage for gig workers and others who
rely on the marketplace for care.
not receive health care through
an employer, we rely on the federal
marketplace to purchase coverage.
DONNA ACETO
Without these tax credits, countless
gig workers could face the diffi
cult decision to forego coverage
due to cost. Again, this is too high
a price to pay.
The restaurant, tourism, and
entertainment industries were
some of the hardest hit during
the pandemic. Drag entertainers
like myself rely on bookings in
crowded bars and restaurants as
a primary source of income. When
the city shut down, so did much of
our work. As we begin our fi nancial
recovery with the rest of our
New York communities, we cannot
afford increased health care
expenses.
With the leadership of Senate
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer,
these health insurance subsidies
can be made permanent in the
current reconciliation package
making its way through Congress.
I call on Senator Schumer to continue
to be a strong voice for workers
like myself and fi ght for access
to affordable care.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
TO TEST YOUR CHILD
FOR LEAD
Lead in peeling paint
poisons children.
• Tell your landlord to fix peeling paint. It’s the law.
• Wash floors, windowsills, hands, and toys often.
GET YOUR CHILD TESTED AT AGES 1 AND 2.
CALL 311 TO LEARN MORE OR VISIT NYC.GOV/LEADFREE.
October 21 - November 3 , 2 14 021 | GayCityNews.com
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