You’ve seen it on the news. You might be neck deep in it. The situation with insurance has deteriorated beyond tolerable limits. While it’s been a problem for years and years, with exorbitantly high costs, convoluted systems, and insufficient or arbitrary coverage, we’ve reached a tipping point where health coverage has now become untenable for millions of Americans. Since the expiration of ACA subsidies on January 1, premiums have doubled. Tripled even. Rising by thousands of dollars for people who can afford it.
The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as it is also known, supported millions of Americans. These enhanced subsidies were introduced after the law’s original passage in 2010 to help lower monthly premiums for people who purchase health insurance on their own rather than through an employer. For many enrollees, the subsidies significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs and expanded access to coverage. Their expiration means some individuals, families, business owners, and many more now face higher premiums, even though the Affordable Care Act itself remains in effect.
How Can I Help Change This?
The Senate returned to work yesterday, January 5, and the House reconvened today, January 6. There are plans in the works to introduce legislation to cushion the blow. But the gears of government turn slow. And historically, the best (and honestly, sometimes only), lubrication the average person can provide is their voice. And so, it’s time to add your voice.
Below, we have provided the contact information for the governor, both senators, and Bountiful’s local rep. (We are in an odd limbo at the moment, where Celeste Maloy is currently our rep but if the new boundaries pass it will be Blake Moore, so we have provided info for both.) If you are experiencing this problem, please send in a message. If you know someone going through this, please send in a message.
Contact info
Governor Spencer Cox
Contact Form – https://cs.utah.gov/s/submit
Office Phone Number – 801-538-1000
Senator Mike Lee
- Contact Form – https://www.lee.senate.gov/contact
- 801-524-5933 (Salt Lake)
- 202-224-5444 (Washington, D.C.)
Senator John Curtis
- Contact Form – https://www.curtis.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
- 801-524-4380 (Salt Lake)
- 202-224-5251 (Washington, D.C.)
Email – experience@curtis.senate
Rep. Celeste Maloy
- Contact form – https://maloy.house.gov/contact/
- (801) 364-5550 (Bountiful)
- (202) 225-9730 (Washington D.C.)
Rep. Blake Moore
- Contact Form – https://blakemoore.house.gov/contact/email-blake?clear
- (801) 625-0107 (Utah Office)
- (202) 225-0453 (Washington D.C.)
Utah District 19 Rep. Raymond Ward
- Email – rayward@le.utah.gov
- Phone –801-538-1029
Utah District 9 Senator Todd Weiler
- Email – tweiler@le.utah.gov
- Phone – 801-599-9823
General Utah House Contact – https://house.utleg.gov/contact/
General Utah Senate Contact – https://senate.utah.gov/contact/
Tips On Contacting Your Reps
Writing to your representative can be a daunting or challenging experience. To help make it easier for you, we have pulled together some advice on how to do it and put together a few template letters you can use if you would like.
Here is some advice from the American Civil Liberties Union on how to craft a message to your representatives.
- Keep it brief: Limit your letter to one page and focus on a single issue so it’s easier for staff to read and understand.
- State who you are and what you want up front: In the opening paragraph, identify yourself as a constituent and clearly explain the issue you’re writing about — including a bill number if applicable.
- Hit your three most important points: Choose your three strongest arguments and briefly explain each to persuade the official.
- Personalize your letter: Explain why the issue matters in your community or to you personally; adding a brief personal story can be especially impactful.
- Personalize your relationship: If you’ve voted for the official, contributed to their campaign, or have any personal or local connection, mention it — this can make your message more compelling.
- You are the expert: Remember your representative works for you — be courteous and concise but don’t hesitate to take a firm, informed position on the issue.
And here, if you would like to use them, are some template letters you could use to craft your own:
Template 1
Dear [Representative’s Name],
I am a constituent writing to ask you to support reinstating the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium subsidies. These subsidies have helped millions of Americans afford health insurance, and their lapse is already putting coverage at risk for families in our community.
For many people who purchase insurance on their own, these subsidies were the difference between staying insured and going without care. Without them, premiums rise sharply, forcing difficult choices that can leave people uninsured or delaying necessary medical treatment. This affects not only individual families, but the stability of our broader health care system.
I urge you to support legislation or policy action that restores these subsidies and provides greater certainty for people who rely on them. Affordable, predictable access to health insurance is essential, and I hope you will make this a priority.
Thank you for your time and for representing our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City or ZIP Code]
Template 2
Dear [Representative’s Name],
I am writing as a constituent to urge you to support reinstating the Affordable Care Act’s premium subsidies. These subsidies have played a critical role in helping people in our community afford health insurance.
For me and many others, the assistance made coverage realistic instead of out of reach. Without it, premiums increase dramatically, creating stress and uncertainty about whether insurance can be maintained at all. I have spoken with friends, neighbors, and family members who are facing the same concern.
Health insurance should function as a safety net, not a financial gamble. I respectfully ask that you work to reinstate these subsidies and help ensure stable, affordable access to care for the people you represent.
Thank you for listening and for your service.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City or ZIP Code]
Template 3
Dear [Representative’s Name],
I am a constituent contacting you with an urgent request: please support immediate action to reinstate the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium subsidies. Their absence is already creating higher costs and instability for people who depend on individual health insurance plans.
These subsidies were not a luxury — they were a practical solution that helped working families, older adults, and self-employed individuals remain insured. Allowing them to lapse undermines access to care and increases the risk that people will go without coverage altogether.
I strongly encourage you to prioritize this issue and support efforts to restore these subsidies as soon as possible. Reliable access to affordable health insurance is a matter of public well-being, and your leadership is needed.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City or ZIP Code]
Final Thought
This is something that is on Congress’s radar. But the more that people let them know it is important, the sooner it will be addressed.
Tyler Nelson is the founder, owner, and reporter for The Bountiful Forum. He has worked in journalism for four years, covering The Church of Jesus Christ at LDSDaily, and working as an editor and reporter for the Deseret News, covering local issues, government, and education.
