Senators Reed and Whitehouse call for bipartisan action to lower healthcare costs
CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse called for Republicans to “join them in taking urgent action” to prevent health insurance premiums from rising.
On Monday, the 20th day of the government shutdown, the senators pushed for Republicans to take bipartisan action to lower healthcare costs and reopen the government before the start of open enrollment on Nov. 1.
In a press release, the senators claimed that if action is not taken to lower costs, Rhode Islanders could pay double or triple for health insurance in January.
They said the “steep price hikes” are a result of the Trump administration’s $1 trillion cut to healthcare, Republican’s “refusal” to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, and tariffs on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
“Tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders will see their health care premiums skyrocket if Congress doesn’t work in a bipartisan way to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” Whitehouse said. “Without action, premiums will double – that’s not going to work for families, and it’s going to further strain our health care system.”
If an agreement is not made, the senators claim that about 13,000 Rhode Islanders will be “unable to afford coverage or opt to go uninsured.”
“Republicans must join us in taking swift, comprehensive action because this goes to the heart of health and financial stability for millions of Americans. If these price hikes go forward unchecked, it will decimate families, hurt communities, and require even more expensive solutions,” Reed said. “People’s lives are at stake and there is urgent, pressing need for action.”
