Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois has joined a coalition of 21 states in urging Congress to reject proposals that would tie the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits to restrictions on abortion coverage in state ACA insurance plans. In a letter sent to congressional leaders, the coalition argues that such measures would infringe on state authority, conflict with existing laws, and jeopardize access to essential health care.
“Illinois proudly protects reproductive health care, including abortion, as a fundamental right,” Raoul said. “I’m urging members of Congress to reject any proposal that holds affordable health care coverage for millions of Americans hostage in an attempt to cut off access to legal, lifesaving abortion care.”
The ACA’s tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension, many families could face increased health care costs starting next year. Recent negotiations have revealed efforts by some Republican lawmakers to make their support for extending these credits contingent on prohibiting all federally subsidized ACA insurance plans from covering abortion services.
Currently, all states in the coalition allow abortion coverage within their ACA insurance offerings. The proposed prohibition would impact hundreds of thousands who rely on this coverage and could increase obstacles to obtaining care by making comprehensive plans more expensive due to loss of subsidies.
Raoul and his colleagues also address claims that federal funds are used for abortion services. They clarify that federal law prohibits such use; instead, enrollees pay separate fees for abortion coverage where it is available.
The letter emphasizes the importance of state autonomy in shaping health policy under the ACA framework. It points out that restricting abortion coverage can threaten public health outcomes—research indicates that states with stricter abortion laws have seen increases in sepsis, infant mortality, and pregnancy-related deaths after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
This action follows other recent attempts by federal officials to restrict reproductive health access, including efforts during the Trump administration aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood and limiting veterans’ access to abortion services at Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington joined Raoul in sending this letter.