THE URGENT IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUBSIDIES FOR 2026

Michigan – December 17, 2025

Dear United States House and Senate Representatives for the State of Michigan,

On behalf of the Michigan Lupus Foundation and the thousands of Michiganders living with lupus, I am writing to express our deep concern about the growing barriers to affordable, comprehensive health care, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions. We respectfully urge Congress to protect and strengthen access to medical coverage for those whose health depends on it most.

It is estimated more than 14,000 Michiganders have been diagnosed with lupus. More people live with lupus than with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis combined. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. It can affect any part of the body, causing widespread pain, inflammation, joint swelling, extreme fatigue and organ damage. Lupus is an unpredictable and often misunderstood disease that is difficult to diagnose, challenging to treat and even harder to live with. There is no cure, making organizations like the Michigan Lupus Foundation essential in supporting patients and their families.

This week, it was announced the U.S. House of Representatives will not vote to extend enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, ensuring these subsidies will expire at the end of this month. As a result, higher insurance premiums will take effect for millions of Americans who rely on ACA coverage in 2026. We strongly encourage Congress to preserve and strengthen these subsidies. Their expiration or reduction would disproportionately harm lupus patients and others living with pre-existing conditions who depend on affordable coverage to manage complex, lifelong medical needs.

The average annual direct and indirect costs incurred by a person with lupus can exceed $30,000 per year, which is higher than the per-person cost burden associated with rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or asthma. Prescription drugs used to treat lupus can be extraordinarily expensive and insurance barriers frequently add additional strain, creating an unnecessary layer of hardship for those already managing a serious and unpredictable chronic illness.

As someone who has lived with lupus for more than 20 years, I can personally attest to the crippling out-of-pocket costs for medications and healthcare, especially when faced with copay accumulator policies, high deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and step-therapy requirements. I am also insured through the Affordable Care Act and will face a 50% increase in monthly premiums without the current subsidies.

The Michigan Lupus Foundation stands ready to support your efforts in any way we can. We would welcome the opportunity to provide patient stories, data or expert perspectives on the daily challenges faced by people living with lupus. We are grateful for your leadership and for your willingness to hear directly from those most affected by federal health policy.

We sincerely hope you will continue championing policies that ensure every person living with a chronic or pre-existing condition can access the care they need and deserve.

If you have any further questions, I can be reached at kimberly@milupus.org or (248) 901-7299.

Kimberly Dimond
Executive Director
Michigan Lupus Foundation

About the MI Lupus Foundation

The Michigan Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for those living with lupus through support, education and research with the goal of finding a cure. The foundation provides financial and informational resources for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers including support groups, counseling services, financial assistance, advocating with lawmakers at the state and federal level to amplify the patient voice, funding state and nationwide research as well as hosting awareness and educational events across the entire state of Michigan. The Michigan Lupus Foundation has been continually serving Michigan since 1974 and is working to build a brighter future for all lupus patients and their families. For more information, visit http://milupus.org.

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