Govs. Kelly, Meyer, Lujan Grisham Turn Up the Pressure on Republicans in Congress to Extend ACA Subsidies and Avoid Government Shutdown

Govs. Kelly, Meyer, Lujan Grisham Turn Up the Pressure on Republicans in Congress to Extend ACA Subsidies and Avoid Government Shutdown

Governors warn of the dire consequences for millions of American families who will see their health care premiums skyrocket

As everyday costs continue to rise thanks to Donald Trump and Republicans’ disastrous budget bill, DGA Chair Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham are sounding the alarm and urging Republicans in Congress to do the right thing by extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Under Congressional Republicans’ budget bill, provisions to help ACA beneficiaries afford their coverage were gutted, and without correction, health care costs for an estimated 22 million Americans will skyrocket by an average of more than 75 percent. As Governors Kelly, Meyer and Lujan Grisham warned, it is hardworking families who will face the consequences of Republicans’ choice to shut down the government instead of protecting the people they represent.

“At a time when working families are already being squeezed by high prices, President Trump and Republicans in Congress would rather shut down the government than work across the aisle to lower costs and protect health care,” said DGA Chair Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. “We’re here today calling on Republicans in Congress to do the right thing. Come to the table, correct the fatal error of the budget bill that’s ripping through families and communities across our country, and extend ACA tax credits to help families afford basic health care.”

“If Congress lets these tax credits expire, families across America will be forced into impossible choices, and…rural regions in particular could see premiums spike 70 percent, 80 percent, or even by some metrics, premiums could double,” said Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer. “The ripple effects are going to hit every community, every hospital, every small business. Extending these tax credits is not complicated. It should not be partisan. It’s common sense…My message today is simple, Congress must act, and they must act now.”

“My mother didn’t set out to be an advocate, but she was called to do so when the health care system failed my disabled sister, Kimberly…the stability of access to their programs is, in fact, affected, and they shouldn’t have to keep fighting for basic care and basic dignity,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “This is a situation that Congress can and must fix, and we’re calling on every state to call on your Congress member and to make sure that the Senate and the House negotiate getting the tax credits extended.”

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