ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Thursday Senate vote against extending federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies could mean steep premium increases for the roughly 1.4 million Georgians who rely on marketplace health plans.

Nearly all Georgians enrolled in ACA coverage use those subsidies to keep their monthly premiums affordable. Without federal support, average payments could more than double next year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Putting coverage out of reach for many middle-class families and small business owners.

For Atlanta therapist and small business owner Melissa Sexton, the change would be devastating. She said she is preparing for a “double hit” — patients dropping insurance they can no longer afford, and her own premium rising.

“I’m not going to have

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