Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Protect Our Care and advocates to call on Republicans to protect health care for tens of millions of hardworking Americans and stop premium hikes. The Trump administration’s agenda is already driving the largest health insurance premium increases in 15 years. By threatening to shut down the government instead of extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits, the GOP is putting 24 million people at risk of additional premium increases. Democrats stand united in opposition to a GOP budget that continues wreaking havoc on working families and our health care system.
“President Trump has taken a meat axe to our health care system and now we’re facing an ACA tax credit cliff,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Millions of Americans and small businesses that rely on the ACA premium tax credit are going to see their health care costs skyrocket. So ACA tax credits must be extended – not just to save Americans the thousands more each year that they’d have to pay, but for the very lives that are at stake if these expire. We don’t have time to waste. Republicans must step up.”
“It’s so important to extend these tax credits to give families more breathing room,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). “Those from working families, older Americans, and small business owners are the people who can least afford these cost increases, and failing to extend these credits is going to hurt the small businesses that create jobs and power local economies all across this country. I hope that our colleagues here in Congress will join us to extend these tax credits and to keep health insurance affordable for millions of Americans.”
“If Republicans don’t act, these tax breaks will end at the end of the year,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “It is incredibly important that we act quickly because of the looming notices that are going to go out. We need to prioritize the health and well-being of the American people, as well as bring their costs down. The only question is whether Republicans will join us and stand for lower costs for families or not.”
“Having access to good health care gives my employees and me the peace of mind we need to focus on the work we love,” said restaurant owner Lester Johnson. “My personal premium would double in size if not for these credits. That will put a huge financial burden on me and my family. Restaurants operate on very slim margins, and most owners don’t get rich in this business. We do it because we are passionate about preparing good food and creating a space for our community to come and enjoy a meal with their friends and family. Times are already tough. We cannot afford to lose our health care.”
“Eight years ago, I walked into a doctor’s office with a nagging cough and walked out with a stage four cancer diagnosis,” said cancer survivor Laura Packard. “Now, thankfully, I’m in remission, and I thrive thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but the attacks continue. We should not be choosing more spaceships for Elon Musk over hard-working Americans who just need health care. As a cancer survivor, I have to pay whatever it costs. If I do not qualify for subsidies, that doesn’t matter – I have to pay it as I am at risk for recurrence of my cancer and other types of conditions caused by the chemotherapy and radiation treatments I went through.”
“If Republicans succeed in taking away these tax credits, they will force millions to choose between seeing a doctor and putting food on the table,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Everyone deserves quality, affordable, and accessible health care coverage. It’s time for Republicans to clean up the mess they created, extend the tax credits permanently, and protect the health and well-being of millions across the country.”