Washington, D.C. – Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) joined Protect Our Care and health care advocates to call on the GOP to put an end to their health care crisis and pass a budget that puts hardworking families over billionaires. Since taking power, Republicans and Donald Trump have launched an unrelenting assault on the nation’s health care system, and they are now holding the government hostage to continue policies that hike costs and rip away coverage from the American people.
“It’s mind-boggling that Republicans in Congress and the President think that it’s more important to provide massive tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy than to provide health care that keeps our neighbors healthy and well,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14). “This is completely reckless. We need to make sure that people understand what is at stake and not let this drag out any longer because this cannot wait. These are real lives that Republicans and the President are playing with here.”
“My anxiety is through the roof as I wait until the end of this month to learn what the cost of coverage is going to be for me and my family,” said Sue Gottesman, health care advocate. “Ending the health care tax credits will negatively impact not only me, but also so many people. This will force families to abandon coverage, making them vulnerable to the unexpected. We don’t know when tragedy will strike, and when it does strike, it can be very expensive.
“In 1985, I had a diving accident and became a quadriplegic,” said Jorge Luis, health care advocate. “When I began to hear about what’s going on in Washington, I started thinking about how it costs around $185,000 to take care of me every year. I really need my insurance. Republicans need to stop playing politics and do what is right.”
“There’s nowhere for the GOP to hide from the disastrous consequences of these premium increases,” said Anne Shoup, Protect Our Care. “Hard-working people across the country are now witnessing the GOP betrayal first-hand. They’re seeing their premiums tripling and quadrupling. It’s time for Republicans to fix the health care crisis of their own making and end their shutdown.”