Durbin Urges Republicans To Work With Democrats To Address The Imminent Health Care Increases
Durbin: It’s not a radical left idea that a working family ought to have afford health insurance
WASHINGTON –U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor urging Congressional Republicans to finally work with Democrats to fund the government and address the imminent health care crisis if the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits are allowed to expire. Republicans have shut down the government and gone on a prolonged summer vacation, despite the fact that health care costs are about to spike dramatically for tens of millions of Americans. Democrats are simply asking for Republicans to reopen the government, reverse the harmful health care provisions from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits before premiums skyrocket.
“How can [Republican leadership] talk about the government shutdown without ever mentioning health care costs to American families? How can you do that? It's a situation where we understand, I hope, that the Democrats are not in this position [government shutdown] for any reason other than to stop the dramatic increase in health care premiums that American families will face unless we do something and do it now. State after state, the notices are going out that the cost of health insurance for working families in America is going to go up dramatically. In some cases, more than 100 percent… It means more money out of pocket or they're going to drop their health insurance coverage altogether. How can the Republican Leader stand before us and even refuse to acknowledge that that is the issue that drives this government shutdown?” Durbin said.
“The Republicans are insisting on their approach to the budget because they don't want to see American families protected when it comes to these health insurance increases, and the increases are already being announced,” Durbin continued.
If Congressional Republicans allow the enhanced premium tax credits to expire, more than 20 million Americans will see their health care premiums skyrocket next year, and more than four million Americans will lose their health coverage altogether.
“This [health care] increase is creating a hardship they never anticipated. We believe on the Democratic side that this is the time to act—now. To move together to stop these increases from take being place because these increases were part of the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Republican budget… That's what is leading to these increases because the plans, the Affordable Care Act insurance plans are no longer going to enjoy a tax credit, to help families pay the premiums. That's why the cost is going to go up so dramatically. We can change it. We can do it, but we have to do it quickly. We ought to move on it this week. I wish the House of Representatives were in session. They haven't shown up for two weeks. Speaker Johnson happens to believe that being awol is the right thing for his Republican members. I don't think it is the right thing for America,” Durbin said.
Durbin concluded, “Democrats and Republicans should be in this Capitol negotiating—sitting at a table together. And the first item on the agenda has to be health care costs for American families. All this talk about dangerous games and radical left policies... It is not a radical-left idea that a working family ought to the have affordable health insurance. It is basic in America. As flawed as our health system is in this country and as great as it is in many respects, if people cannot afford to have their coverage for their family, that hardship—it follows, that's the real reason. You say, well, what about the cost? Remember, this is an Administration that wants to give $20 billion to Argentina. I'm worried more about 20 million Americans who will lose their health insurance if we don't do something and do it quickly. The American people get it. This issue has gone from the beltway to the backyards of America. People know that this is coming, and their worried about it, and they should be. They want us to do something, and they want it done now.”
As a result of the Big Beautiful Bill, more than $1.3 trillion will be cut from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act—resulting in more than 10 million people losing their health coverage in the coming years.
The Democratic Continuing Resolution would eliminate the Medicaid and ACA cuts that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and protect health care coverage for tens of millions of Americans nationwide by extending the ACA’s tax credits.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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