Tell Congress to Protect Insurance Access!

Breast cancer patients depend on reliable, affordable health care. Unfortunately, one important tool that helps many Virginians afford quality health insurance is in jeopardy: the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. These credits lower the cost of coverage for individuals and families buying insurance through the Virginia health insurance marketplace who earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

The enhanced tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts to extend them. Without these tax credits, health insurance costs will increase, and many in Virginia will see their premium payments more than double starting in 2026. Urge your legislators to extend the enhanced premium tax credits now!

Take Action

• Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators through the National Breast Cancer Coalition's easy online Action Center

• Personalize your message—If you have benefited from the premium tax credits, please share this experience with your legislators.

Note: Virginia Representative Jen Kiggans (VA-02) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to extend the premium tax credits for one year. This stopgap measure would be a step in the right direction. A final decision about the tax credits would still be needed in the near future.

ICYMI: Summer Advocacy Success!

Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06) Rep. John McGuire (VA-05)

VBCF staff and advocates met with Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) and Representative John McGuire (VA-05) this summer in their home districts to discuss funding for cancer research, Virginia's Every Woman's Life Program, and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2048). As you know, this bill will eliminate the lengthy waiting periods for Medicaid (24 months) and Social Security Disability benefits (5 months) so that patients living with metastatic breast cancer can access the care they need RIGHT AWAY.

We are excited to report that, following our meetings, both Congressmen signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 2048!. Thank you to our advocates and to these Virginia legislators for their leadership. H.R. 2048 now has 145 co-sponsors, including five of Virginia's 11 Representatives: Rep. Cline; Rep. McClellan, Rep. McGuire, Rep. Subramanyam, Rep. Vindman.

Special Election Results

On September 9th, voters in the 11th District elected Congressman James Walkinshaw. He fills the seat left vacant by the passing of Congressman Connolly.

SAVE THE DATE: 1/29/26

Mark your Calendar! VBCF will host the 2026 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day at the General Assembly in Richmond on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Stay tuned for more information.

Questions? Contact Kirsta Millar

kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.