Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman David Scott (D-GA, 13th) called for Congress to take immediate action and implement a 5 year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expired September 30. CHIP provides health care for 8.9 million children across the U.S, including over 130,000 kids covered through Georgia’s CHIP program, PeachCare for Kids.
“With the House currently in recess for 10 days, no vote on CHIP reauthorization has been scheduled in the House or Senate and 17 days have already passed since Congress let CHIP funding lapse. If Congress continues to fail to do its job and not reauthorize PeachCare funding right away, thousands of children in Georgia will lose access to the vital care they need to grow up and stay healthy. Georgia has the 4th highest number of uninsured children in the country. It is estimated that Georgia will run out of PeachCare funding at the beginning of 2018. Congress should be working to ensure that all children who are eligible for CHIP health care get covered, not squabbling while millions of families wait in fear that the program will end due to Congressional inaction. I call on all of my colleagues in Congress to continue the last two decades of bipartisan support for CHIP and reauthorize it for an additional 5 years. Don’t pull the rug out from under working families! Don’t let partisan squabbling jeopardize the health of millions of children! Let’s do our job, so that the thousands of families in Georgia with PeachCare can rest easy knowing that if their child gets sick, they can get the care they need.”
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is a partnership between the federal government and states that has helped ensure access to health care for children and pregnant mothers from low-income working families across the United States. Without reauthorization, states will be unable to maintain the current level of access to health coverage for children in low-income families. Thousands of working families in Georgia will be forced to make difficult decisions, as PeachCare primarily covers families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but still can’t afford to purchase coverage in the private market.
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No progress on negotiations to fund Children's Health Insurance Program
The Unpopular Truth
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Reach Every Mother and Child Act Introduced in the House
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman David G. Reichert (R-WA, 8th), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Daniel Donovan (R-NY) introduced the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (H.R. 4402), a bold, bipartisan legislative initiative to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal, newborn and childhood deaths worldwide.
“We have made incredible progress in improving maternal care and reducing preventable child deaths around the globe,” said Rep. Reichert. “But better is not good enough. The Reach Act will give the world’s most in-need families the tools and resources to climb their way out of extreme poverty, reduce infant mortality, and focus on building their communities. With a continued focus on reaching more mothers and children, we can save countless lives and strengthen security and stability across the globe.”
Rep. McCollum said, “Despite significant progress in improving global access to quality health services for mothers, children, and newborns, hundreds of thousands of women continue to die each year of preventable pregnancy and childbirth related causes. Millions of children don’t live to see their fifth birthday. Continued U.S. leadership is essential, and the Reach Act will coordinate resources and strategies that will achieve our goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. I am proud to build on our government’s strong, bipartisan legacy of leadership by partnering with Rep. Dave Reichert, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Rep. Dan Donovan on this important legislation.”
“While we’ve made tremendous strides in reducing the maternal and child mortality rate, more work remains. We can and must continue to make progress is ending these tragic, preventable and unnecessary deaths,” said Rep. Barbara Lee. “The REACH Act is a lifesaving bill that will uplift the most vulnerable and create a healthier, safer and more stable world for everyone.”
Rep. Donovan said, “Progress has been made in helping mothers and children across the globe access the health services they need, but too many preventable deaths still occur. Regardless of ideology, I think we can all agree that no child anywhere should die of something as simple as diarrhea. The United States has been a leader in helping the most vulnerable and those living in poverty for years. This bipartisan legislation allows our nation to build on that work and continue to be a shining example to the world.”
This legislation has already won the support of more than 20 non-governmental organizations (NGO) including RESULTS, World Vision, and Save the Children Action Network.
“The Reach Act represents the kind of ambition we need to help countries reach the end of preventable maternal and child deaths,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund. “Following the leadership of Reps. Reichert, McCollum, Lee, and Donovan, Congress has the chance to help make sure every mother and child is reached with quality services, regardless of who she is or where she lives.”
“I am grateful to Rep. Reichert, Rep. McCollum, Rep. Lee and Rep. Donovan for their work across party lines to prioritize the health and survival of mothers and children around the world,” said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. “This is a bold initiative that will ensure our government is as effective as possible as we work toward ending preventable deaths around the world. As a result, we will help create a more stable world.”
“The Reach Every Mother and Child Act provides a critical opportunity for the US Government to strengthen its commitment in serving the global poor,” added World Vision CEO Rich Stearns. “This legislation will ensure that proven cost-effective and life-saving health interventions will be scaled up in the developing world, in order to end preventable maternal and child deaths in our lifetime.”
According to experts, nearly 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Malnutrition also contributes to approximately 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of five, totaling more than 3 million mostly preventable deaths each year. Furthermore, about one million newborns die on their very first day of life from causes that are almost entirely preventable.
The Reach Act is the House companion bill to the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S. 1730) introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Christopher Coons (D-DE)
The legislation would:
Coordinate U.S. government strategy to end preventable maternal, newborn, and childhood deaths globally within a generation;
Require targets to be set, tracked, and reported;
Focus on the poorest and most vulnerable populations while recognizing the unique needs within different countries and communities;
Improve coordination amongst agencies and foreign governments, civil society, and international organizations;
Encourage USAID to use pay-for-outcome financing arrangements; and
Accelerate partner country progress toward self-sustainability.
Sandra G. Hassink, MD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics had this to say:
"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds the U.S. Senate for introducing the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act today. Every child needs the best possible opportunity to survive and thrive, and as its name implies, the bill takes important steps to do just that.
"The AAP's mission to advance the health needs of children knows no borders, and neither does our advocacy. Pediatricians are leading efforts with partners in the U.S. government and across the globe to help end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths within a generation. This legislation is an important step forward in that effort.
"One of the bill's notable achievements is making permanent the position of maternal and child health coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which ensures that maternal and child health will be prioritized and coordinated across the agency's programs. The Academy fought hard to make sure marginalized and vulnerable populations were included, and that special attention was paid to recognizing the unique needs of infants and children within different countries and communities.
"The Academy thanks the bill's co-sponsors, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) for their leadership and urges both chambers to advance this important legislation without delay. There is no more important investment in the future health and stability of our world than saving the lives of mothers and children."
Save the Children has voiced its support in a recent press release, where they stated that "Since 1990, the world has reduced mortality rates for children under 5 by more than one half. This is one of the greatest success stories in international development.
The U.S. has led an international effort to provide developing countries the tools to care for their children – often with simple, proven and inexpensive interventions that address leading causes of death, such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
Building on those gains, in 2014 the U.S. declared ending preventable child and maternal deaths around the world a national priority.
Despite this Progress…
16,000 children die each day from preventable and treatable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. A number of these children are excluded- growing up in the hardest to reach areas.
Almost one million newborns die on the day they are born; and close to two million newborns die in their first week after birth. And, malnutrition is an underlying cause for 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of 5. This amounts to three million children’s lives lost each year.
The Reach Every Mother and Child Act Would Save More Lives."
World Vision Advocacy is asking supporters to contact their members of Congress to show support for the bill with a help page (click HERE)
“We have made incredible progress in improving maternal care and reducing preventable child deaths around the globe,” said Rep. Reichert. “But better is not good enough. The Reach Act will give the world’s most in-need families the tools and resources to climb their way out of extreme poverty, reduce infant mortality, and focus on building their communities. With a continued focus on reaching more mothers and children, we can save countless lives and strengthen security and stability across the globe.”
Rep. McCollum said, “Despite significant progress in improving global access to quality health services for mothers, children, and newborns, hundreds of thousands of women continue to die each year of preventable pregnancy and childbirth related causes. Millions of children don’t live to see their fifth birthday. Continued U.S. leadership is essential, and the Reach Act will coordinate resources and strategies that will achieve our goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. I am proud to build on our government’s strong, bipartisan legacy of leadership by partnering with Rep. Dave Reichert, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Rep. Dan Donovan on this important legislation.”
“While we’ve made tremendous strides in reducing the maternal and child mortality rate, more work remains. We can and must continue to make progress is ending these tragic, preventable and unnecessary deaths,” said Rep. Barbara Lee. “The REACH Act is a lifesaving bill that will uplift the most vulnerable and create a healthier, safer and more stable world for everyone.”
Rep. Donovan said, “Progress has been made in helping mothers and children across the globe access the health services they need, but too many preventable deaths still occur. Regardless of ideology, I think we can all agree that no child anywhere should die of something as simple as diarrhea. The United States has been a leader in helping the most vulnerable and those living in poverty for years. This bipartisan legislation allows our nation to build on that work and continue to be a shining example to the world.”
This legislation has already won the support of more than 20 non-governmental organizations (NGO) including RESULTS, World Vision, and Save the Children Action Network.
“The Reach Act represents the kind of ambition we need to help countries reach the end of preventable maternal and child deaths,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund. “Following the leadership of Reps. Reichert, McCollum, Lee, and Donovan, Congress has the chance to help make sure every mother and child is reached with quality services, regardless of who she is or where she lives.”
“I am grateful to Rep. Reichert, Rep. McCollum, Rep. Lee and Rep. Donovan for their work across party lines to prioritize the health and survival of mothers and children around the world,” said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. “This is a bold initiative that will ensure our government is as effective as possible as we work toward ending preventable deaths around the world. As a result, we will help create a more stable world.”
“The Reach Every Mother and Child Act provides a critical opportunity for the US Government to strengthen its commitment in serving the global poor,” added World Vision CEO Rich Stearns. “This legislation will ensure that proven cost-effective and life-saving health interventions will be scaled up in the developing world, in order to end preventable maternal and child deaths in our lifetime.”
According to experts, nearly 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Malnutrition also contributes to approximately 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of five, totaling more than 3 million mostly preventable deaths each year. Furthermore, about one million newborns die on their very first day of life from causes that are almost entirely preventable.
The Reach Act is the House companion bill to the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S. 1730) introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Christopher Coons (D-DE)
The legislation would:
Sandra G. Hassink, MD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics had this to say:
"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds the U.S. Senate for introducing the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act today. Every child needs the best possible opportunity to survive and thrive, and as its name implies, the bill takes important steps to do just that.
"The AAP's mission to advance the health needs of children knows no borders, and neither does our advocacy. Pediatricians are leading efforts with partners in the U.S. government and across the globe to help end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths within a generation. This legislation is an important step forward in that effort.
"One of the bill's notable achievements is making permanent the position of maternal and child health coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which ensures that maternal and child health will be prioritized and coordinated across the agency's programs. The Academy fought hard to make sure marginalized and vulnerable populations were included, and that special attention was paid to recognizing the unique needs of infants and children within different countries and communities.
"The Academy thanks the bill's co-sponsors, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) for their leadership and urges both chambers to advance this important legislation without delay. There is no more important investment in the future health and stability of our world than saving the lives of mothers and children."
Save the Children has voiced its support in a recent press release, where they stated that "Since 1990, the world has reduced mortality rates for children under 5 by more than one half. This is one of the greatest success stories in international development.
The U.S. has led an international effort to provide developing countries the tools to care for their children – often with simple, proven and inexpensive interventions that address leading causes of death, such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
Building on those gains, in 2014 the U.S. declared ending preventable child and maternal deaths around the world a national priority.
Despite this Progress…
16,000 children die each day from preventable and treatable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. A number of these children are excluded- growing up in the hardest to reach areas.
Almost one million newborns die on the day they are born; and close to two million newborns die in their first week after birth. And, malnutrition is an underlying cause for 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of 5. This amounts to three million children’s lives lost each year.
The Reach Every Mother and Child Act Would Save More Lives."
World Vision Advocacy is asking supporters to contact their members of Congress to show support for the bill with a help page (click HERE)
ICE Detains Immigrant while Interviewing for Lawful Permanent Residency
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, offered a statement of support for Melecio Andazola-Morales, a constituent, today. On Thursday, October 12, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Andazola-Morales while he was attending an interview to seek lawful permanent residency. ICE is holding him in detention in Aurora.
“Another productive member of our community - a dedicated employee and a father of four U.S. citizen children – was detained aggressively, and torn from his family as the latest victim of our arbitrary and inhumane immigration system. Melecio Andazola-Morales has lived and worked in the U.S. for nearly 20 years, working to provide for his four young U.S. citizen children and caring for his ailing mother. He is a valuable, productive member of our community who was in the process of pursuing lawful status in the U.S. when he was baited into an enforcement trap by local immigration officials. He should be released from detention immediately and afforded meaningful due process protections in presenting his case before an immigration judge,” said Polis.
Polis has been a consummate champion for fixing our broken immigration system to align with American values since joining Congress. In October 2013, he introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, a bill that would have improved national security, streamlined our country’s guest worker system, and created a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented individuals. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would have reduced the deficit by nearly $200 billion over ten years. The Senate companion of this landmark bill passed in June 2013 and was widely heralded as one of the most significant attempts at comprehensive immigration reform in decades. He is also the co-chair of the Congressional Mexico Friendship Caucus.
Prior to serving in Congress, Polis founded The New America School - a network of charter schools in several states serving new immigrants and English-language learners.
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He thought he was getting his green card. Instead, a Colorado man was detained.
“Another productive member of our community - a dedicated employee and a father of four U.S. citizen children – was detained aggressively, and torn from his family as the latest victim of our arbitrary and inhumane immigration system. Melecio Andazola-Morales has lived and worked in the U.S. for nearly 20 years, working to provide for his four young U.S. citizen children and caring for his ailing mother. He is a valuable, productive member of our community who was in the process of pursuing lawful status in the U.S. when he was baited into an enforcement trap by local immigration officials. He should be released from detention immediately and afforded meaningful due process protections in presenting his case before an immigration judge,” said Polis.
Polis has been a consummate champion for fixing our broken immigration system to align with American values since joining Congress. In October 2013, he introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, a bill that would have improved national security, streamlined our country’s guest worker system, and created a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented individuals. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would have reduced the deficit by nearly $200 billion over ten years. The Senate companion of this landmark bill passed in June 2013 and was widely heralded as one of the most significant attempts at comprehensive immigration reform in decades. He is also the co-chair of the Congressional Mexico Friendship Caucus.
Prior to serving in Congress, Polis founded The New America School - a network of charter schools in several states serving new immigrants and English-language learners.
Related News:
He thought he was getting his green card. Instead, a Colorado man was detained.
National Flood Insurance Bailout
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM, 2nd) released the following statement after voting against a House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2266, the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act. This amendment allows the federal government to borrow money to provide additional funds for emergency relief while bailing out the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):
“Around the nation, individuals and families are working to recover and rebuild from disastrous hurricanes, and thousands more continue to be impacted by devastating wildfires in California. Congress has the responsibility to aid in the recovery by providing emergency disaster funding – no one can disagree with this charge or with the need. If the amendment simply ensured the communities hardest hit have the money needed to recover, I would have easily supported it, as I did a couple weeks ago for the last emergency aid funding bill. However, yesterday’s action was an attempt to play politics with emergency relief funds and ignore billions of dollars in federal debt.
After each hurricane season, the NFIP continues to dive deeper into debt with no foreseeable avenue to solvency. Following both Katrina and Sandy, the federal government was forced to expand the NFIP’s borrowing authority by billions. Superstorm Sandy increased the authority by $9 billion alone. Reverting to debt forgiveness now is not the solution, fundamental changes to the program are the only option.
Instead of doing our job and reforming the program to an effective system that actually supports the American families who use it, Congress opted to forgive $16 billion of the NFIP’s debt. Bailing out NFIP without asking for vital changes only does a disservice to those families who rely on it in the worst of circumstances. To truly support our friends, families, and neighbors impacted by natural disaster we should ensure the insurance programs we have in place will actually work for them. Not just bail the program out and turn a blind eye."
This Amendment provides the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with $18.7 billion, $577 million for wildfire relief, $16 billion to bailout NFIP, and $1.3 billion for Disaster Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.
On September 6, 2017, Rep. Pearce voted to pass emergency aid funding for the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey and, at the time, for the potential impacts of Hurricane Irma. On September 8, 2017, Rep. Pearce voted against the spending package that irresponsibly tacked on an extension of the debt limit and a Continuing Resolution to provide disaster relief funds for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Related News:
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Rothfus on NFIP Bailout in the House
“Around the nation, individuals and families are working to recover and rebuild from disastrous hurricanes, and thousands more continue to be impacted by devastating wildfires in California. Congress has the responsibility to aid in the recovery by providing emergency disaster funding – no one can disagree with this charge or with the need. If the amendment simply ensured the communities hardest hit have the money needed to recover, I would have easily supported it, as I did a couple weeks ago for the last emergency aid funding bill. However, yesterday’s action was an attempt to play politics with emergency relief funds and ignore billions of dollars in federal debt.
After each hurricane season, the NFIP continues to dive deeper into debt with no foreseeable avenue to solvency. Following both Katrina and Sandy, the federal government was forced to expand the NFIP’s borrowing authority by billions. Superstorm Sandy increased the authority by $9 billion alone. Reverting to debt forgiveness now is not the solution, fundamental changes to the program are the only option.
Instead of doing our job and reforming the program to an effective system that actually supports the American families who use it, Congress opted to forgive $16 billion of the NFIP’s debt. Bailing out NFIP without asking for vital changes only does a disservice to those families who rely on it in the worst of circumstances. To truly support our friends, families, and neighbors impacted by natural disaster we should ensure the insurance programs we have in place will actually work for them. Not just bail the program out and turn a blind eye."
This Amendment provides the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with $18.7 billion, $577 million for wildfire relief, $16 billion to bailout NFIP, and $1.3 billion for Disaster Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.
On September 6, 2017, Rep. Pearce voted to pass emergency aid funding for the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey and, at the time, for the potential impacts of Hurricane Irma. On September 8, 2017, Rep. Pearce voted against the spending package that irresponsibly tacked on an extension of the debt limit and a Continuing Resolution to provide disaster relief funds for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Related News:
Opinion: The NFIP bailout à la Trump
Rothfus on NFIP Bailout in the House
Amendment to the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 Protecting Whistleblowers Fails to Pass House
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Tom O’Halleran introduced an amendment to the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 to provide greater whistleblower protections to federal employees who disclose information on the improper use of aircrafts by government officials.
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman Tom O’Halleran said, “I am proud that we are coming together to increase protections for whistleblowers at federal agencies, a long overdue effort. But, in light of recent reports and events that have revealed a disturbing pattern of improper use of tax dollars on air travel by senior federal officials, I believe we must go further.
“My amendment simply extends whistleblower protections that are created under the bill to federal employees who disclose information about travel, including improper use of aircraft,” continued O’Halleran. “Not only would this make it clear to agencies that any violation of laws, rules, or regulations concerning travel or government aircraft is unacceptable – it will also ensure those who come forward to expose any wrongdoing will have appropriate protection from retaliation.”
The amendment failed to pass the House of Representatives on a 190 to 232 vote.
Earlier this month, Rep. O’Halleran introduced the Taxpayers Don’t Incur Meaningless Expenses (Taxpayers DIME) Act. This bill would prevent government officials from using taxpayer money on private air travel that violates current rules. Additionally, the bill increases transparency and oversight of government travel and calls for the independent Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to report on ways to strengthen existing rules.
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman Tom O’Halleran said, “I am proud that we are coming together to increase protections for whistleblowers at federal agencies, a long overdue effort. But, in light of recent reports and events that have revealed a disturbing pattern of improper use of tax dollars on air travel by senior federal officials, I believe we must go further.
“My amendment simply extends whistleblower protections that are created under the bill to federal employees who disclose information about travel, including improper use of aircraft,” continued O’Halleran. “Not only would this make it clear to agencies that any violation of laws, rules, or regulations concerning travel or government aircraft is unacceptable – it will also ensure those who come forward to expose any wrongdoing will have appropriate protection from retaliation.”
The amendment failed to pass the House of Representatives on a 190 to 232 vote.
Earlier this month, Rep. O’Halleran introduced the Taxpayers Don’t Incur Meaningless Expenses (Taxpayers DIME) Act. This bill would prevent government officials from using taxpayer money on private air travel that violates current rules. Additionally, the bill increases transparency and oversight of government travel and calls for the independent Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to report on ways to strengthen existing rules.
Seniors’ Security Act Re-introduced in the House
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Following the announcement that Social Security recipients will receive a 2% cost-of-living increase next year, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) has announced he is re-introducing the Seniors’ Security Act to help seniors who are struggling to pay their medical bills.
Norcross’ Seniors’ Security Act would ensure that cost-of-living increases don’t just get eaten up by rising health care costs. Specifically, the plan would create a “circuit breaker” of sorts, so seniors never pay more than 30 percent of their COLA into Medicare premiums. The Act also recalculates cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) so future changes would be based on the price of goods and services seniors actually buy, a formula known as Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).
“This cost-of-living increase is good news for seniors, but not good enough as seniors continue to struggle with rising health care costs,” said Congressman Norcross. “Our seniors worked hard all their lives and paid into the system – they’ve earned the right to true peace of mind. Let’s make sensible changes so seniors can get a higher COLA and keep more of it.”
“Congressman Norcross’ legislation would require the Social Security Administration to base future cost-of-living adjustments on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which much more accurately reflects the cost of things retirees purchase, including health care. It would also limit Medicare premium increases,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans. “The bill will get seniors the COLA they earned and ensure it isn't immediately consumed by higher Medicare premiums.”
"For the tens of millions of families who depend on Social Security for all or most of their retirement income, this cost of living increase may not adequately cover expenses that rise faster than inflation including prescription drug, utility and housing costs," said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO, AARP. "AARP continues our advocacy for bipartisan solutions to help ensure the long-term solvency of the program, as well as adequate benefits for recipients."
Since 2010, seniors have failed to receive a COLA increase three times – and last year the increase was a meager 0.3%. This year, higher 2018 premiums for Medicare Part B will hit older adults, including large numbers of low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet. The expected increase is $300 next year.
Norcross added: “While others want to privatize and dismantle Social Security, I’m fighting to honor our commitments by keeping the system safe and secure for retirees and working Americans.”
Related News:
Social Security Not Keeping up With Seniors' Rising Costs
Norcross’ Seniors’ Security Act would ensure that cost-of-living increases don’t just get eaten up by rising health care costs. Specifically, the plan would create a “circuit breaker” of sorts, so seniors never pay more than 30 percent of their COLA into Medicare premiums. The Act also recalculates cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) so future changes would be based on the price of goods and services seniors actually buy, a formula known as Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).
“This cost-of-living increase is good news for seniors, but not good enough as seniors continue to struggle with rising health care costs,” said Congressman Norcross. “Our seniors worked hard all their lives and paid into the system – they’ve earned the right to true peace of mind. Let’s make sensible changes so seniors can get a higher COLA and keep more of it.”
“Congressman Norcross’ legislation would require the Social Security Administration to base future cost-of-living adjustments on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which much more accurately reflects the cost of things retirees purchase, including health care. It would also limit Medicare premium increases,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans. “The bill will get seniors the COLA they earned and ensure it isn't immediately consumed by higher Medicare premiums.”
"For the tens of millions of families who depend on Social Security for all or most of their retirement income, this cost of living increase may not adequately cover expenses that rise faster than inflation including prescription drug, utility and housing costs," said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO, AARP. "AARP continues our advocacy for bipartisan solutions to help ensure the long-term solvency of the program, as well as adequate benefits for recipients."
Since 2010, seniors have failed to receive a COLA increase three times – and last year the increase was a meager 0.3%. This year, higher 2018 premiums for Medicare Part B will hit older adults, including large numbers of low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet. The expected increase is $300 next year.
Norcross added: “While others want to privatize and dismantle Social Security, I’m fighting to honor our commitments by keeping the system safe and secure for retirees and working Americans.”
Related News:
Social Security Not Keeping up With Seniors' Rising Costs
Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2017 Introduced in the House
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA, 5th), House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN), and Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) introduced the Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2017. This legislation requires Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical professionals to report directly to state licensing boards if they witness unacceptable or unethical behavior from other medical professionals at the VA. The legislation is in response to the alarming USA Today article that revealed the VA failed to disclose bad medical practitioners to the public, risking the public’s exposure to these dangerous doctors.
“These newest reports out of the VA are deeply troubling,” said McMorris Rodgers. “Our veterans deserve the best care imaginable, but as we’ve seen, far too often that’s not the case. This bill will help reform the culture at the VA by holding bad actors accountable and keeping them from continuing these mistakes at the VA or elsewhere. We should be rolling out the red carpet to our nation’s heroes in Eastern Washington and around the country, and that starts with ensuring that the best and brightest are at the VA caring for our veterans.”
“The findings of the USA Today investigation are intolerable,” said Chairman Roe. “The committee has long been concerned about VA’s settlement agreements, and even held a hearing on the topic last year. While I can appreciate VA’s recent decision to more closely vet settlement agreements, malfeasance within the department will not be ignored. It certainly cannot be rewarded and hidden from state licensing boards. As a physician, I find this deeply troubling, and I thank Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Poliquin for their leadership on this issue.”
“These most recent reports are nothing short of appalling,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Our Maine Veterans depend on their services at Togus and other VA facilities across our State for critical care, and it is absolutely unacceptable for them to ever be subjected to this kind of medical malpractice. We must have accountability at the VA, to ensure our Veterans are always getting the best care possible, and I am proud to be working on the Veterans Affairs’ Committee to do that. I’m now pleased to work with Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers and Chairman Roe to help prevent this unacceptable behavior from occurring again.”
NOTE: Currently, if the VA receives a report of substandard health care practices, it takes at least 100 days to decide whether to refer the matter to a state licensing board. This legislation will require timely reporting to state licensing boards so there is proper notice of these serious allegations.
As reported by USA Today, “the VA — the nation’s largest employer of health care workers — has for years concealed mistakes and misdeeds by staff members entrusted with the care of veterans.” The article lays out a number of cases where doctors provided poor, unethical, or irresponsible care, and faced zero medical licensing reviews.
By requiring malpractice to be reported to state licensing boards, this legislation ensures that if poor care happens, doctors and clinicians will no longer be shielded by the VA and could face consequences just like they do in private practice.
In June, Rep. McMorris Rodgers had representatives from the House Veterans Affairs Committee come to the Spokane VAMC to conduct a site visit and see where improvements could be made. On the visit, they discovered a hole in the roof that had been ignored for years that was leaking into important electrical, heating, and cooling areas. The Congresswoman went back and got funding, and construction will soon begin to fix the hole and ensure our VA facilities are safe and healthy. Read more from the Spokesman-Review here.
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'Dangerous’ doctors have no place in VA
“These newest reports out of the VA are deeply troubling,” said McMorris Rodgers. “Our veterans deserve the best care imaginable, but as we’ve seen, far too often that’s not the case. This bill will help reform the culture at the VA by holding bad actors accountable and keeping them from continuing these mistakes at the VA or elsewhere. We should be rolling out the red carpet to our nation’s heroes in Eastern Washington and around the country, and that starts with ensuring that the best and brightest are at the VA caring for our veterans.”
“The findings of the USA Today investigation are intolerable,” said Chairman Roe. “The committee has long been concerned about VA’s settlement agreements, and even held a hearing on the topic last year. While I can appreciate VA’s recent decision to more closely vet settlement agreements, malfeasance within the department will not be ignored. It certainly cannot be rewarded and hidden from state licensing boards. As a physician, I find this deeply troubling, and I thank Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Poliquin for their leadership on this issue.”
“These most recent reports are nothing short of appalling,” said Congressman Poliquin. “Our Maine Veterans depend on their services at Togus and other VA facilities across our State for critical care, and it is absolutely unacceptable for them to ever be subjected to this kind of medical malpractice. We must have accountability at the VA, to ensure our Veterans are always getting the best care possible, and I am proud to be working on the Veterans Affairs’ Committee to do that. I’m now pleased to work with Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers and Chairman Roe to help prevent this unacceptable behavior from occurring again.”
NOTE: Currently, if the VA receives a report of substandard health care practices, it takes at least 100 days to decide whether to refer the matter to a state licensing board. This legislation will require timely reporting to state licensing boards so there is proper notice of these serious allegations.
As reported by USA Today, “the VA — the nation’s largest employer of health care workers — has for years concealed mistakes and misdeeds by staff members entrusted with the care of veterans.” The article lays out a number of cases where doctors provided poor, unethical, or irresponsible care, and faced zero medical licensing reviews.
By requiring malpractice to be reported to state licensing boards, this legislation ensures that if poor care happens, doctors and clinicians will no longer be shielded by the VA and could face consequences just like they do in private practice.
In June, Rep. McMorris Rodgers had representatives from the House Veterans Affairs Committee come to the Spokane VAMC to conduct a site visit and see where improvements could be made. On the visit, they discovered a hole in the roof that had been ignored for years that was leaking into important electrical, heating, and cooling areas. The Congresswoman went back and got funding, and construction will soon begin to fix the hole and ensure our VA facilities are safe and healthy. Read more from the Spokesman-Review here.
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Sexual Harrassment in the National Parks
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the National Park Service’s report on sexual harassment within the agency:
“I am deeply disturbed by this report, which details an unacceptable culture of sexual harassment and hostile work environments at the National Park Service. The incidents described in the report, and the lack of action to address them, should concern all of us.
“Every employee has the right to a safe workplace that is free from harassment. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service must take steps to finally end this widespread pattern of workplace harassment. As they address this issue, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to hold the Department accountable and ensure that no employee ever faces the kind of mistreatment and abuse outlined in this report.”
In the fiscal year 2017 Interior-Environment appropriations bill, Congresswoman McCollum secured language that instructed the Department of the Interior to report to Congress on corrective steps being taken to address harassment and implement strong and consistent anti-harassment policies.
Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04) – the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee who requested a congressional hearing on sexual harassment at the National Park Service (NPS) in June – released the following statement on a NPS survey in which 38 percent of employees report experiencing some form of sexual harassment:
“Dumping this news on a Friday afternoon, without any clear next steps, suggests this administration still isn’t taking this problem as seriously as it should,” said Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva. “Stopping sexual harassment will require changing the agency’s culture, which has survived through administrations of both political parties, and that won’t happen unless Secretary Zinke makes this a genuine priority. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that Secretary Zinke takes command of ending sexual harassment, and I stand ready to work with Chairman Bishop to hold a hearing on this employee survey and next steps from the Interior Department as soon as possible.”
“I have repeatedly asked Secretary Zinke, both in person and through written correspondence, to prioritize addressing the culture of sexual harassment that has permeated the NPS,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “This problem is far too serious and has gone on for far too long. We need long-term, systemic solutions. I urge Secretary Zinke to listen closely to the survey results and quickly implement changes that will eliminate all forms of sexual harassment in the NPS. I also implore Chairmen Bishop and Westerman to heed requests to hold congressional hearings to remedy this issue further.”
Among other actions, Natural Resources Committee Democrats requested the initial NPS employee survey as well as its expansion to include seasonal employees; previously requested a hearing on the issue; and, in a budget hearing earlier this year, highlighted the administration’s failure to make an exception to Zinke’s hiring ban to deal with the backlog of sexual harassment cases.
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“I am deeply disturbed by this report, which details an unacceptable culture of sexual harassment and hostile work environments at the National Park Service. The incidents described in the report, and the lack of action to address them, should concern all of us.
“Every employee has the right to a safe workplace that is free from harassment. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service must take steps to finally end this widespread pattern of workplace harassment. As they address this issue, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to hold the Department accountable and ensure that no employee ever faces the kind of mistreatment and abuse outlined in this report.”
In the fiscal year 2017 Interior-Environment appropriations bill, Congresswoman McCollum secured language that instructed the Department of the Interior to report to Congress on corrective steps being taken to address harassment and implement strong and consistent anti-harassment policies.
Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04) – the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee who requested a congressional hearing on sexual harassment at the National Park Service (NPS) in June – released the following statement on a NPS survey in which 38 percent of employees report experiencing some form of sexual harassment:
“Dumping this news on a Friday afternoon, without any clear next steps, suggests this administration still isn’t taking this problem as seriously as it should,” said Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva. “Stopping sexual harassment will require changing the agency’s culture, which has survived through administrations of both political parties, and that won’t happen unless Secretary Zinke makes this a genuine priority. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that Secretary Zinke takes command of ending sexual harassment, and I stand ready to work with Chairman Bishop to hold a hearing on this employee survey and next steps from the Interior Department as soon as possible.”
“I have repeatedly asked Secretary Zinke, both in person and through written correspondence, to prioritize addressing the culture of sexual harassment that has permeated the NPS,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “This problem is far too serious and has gone on for far too long. We need long-term, systemic solutions. I urge Secretary Zinke to listen closely to the survey results and quickly implement changes that will eliminate all forms of sexual harassment in the NPS. I also implore Chairmen Bishop and Westerman to heed requests to hold congressional hearings to remedy this issue further.”
Among other actions, Natural Resources Committee Democrats requested the initial NPS employee survey as well as its expansion to include seasonal employees; previously requested a hearing on the issue; and, in a budget hearing earlier this year, highlighted the administration’s failure to make an exception to Zinke’s hiring ban to deal with the backlog of sexual harassment cases.
Related News:
Interior's Ryan Zinke cracks down on discrimination and sexual harassment at national parks
Social Security Announces 2.0 Percent Benefit Increase for 2018
Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 66 million Americans will increase 2.0 percent in 2018, the Social Security Administration has announced.
The 2.0 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 61 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits) The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $128,700 from $127,200. Of the estimated 175 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2018, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Seniors Task Force Chairs Doris O. Matsui (D-CA, 6th) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with Vice Chairs Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Charlie Crist (D-FL), released the following statement on the announcement of a 2 percent Social Security COLA increase for beneficiaries:
“Today’s announcement of a 2 percent increase in the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is welcome news after two years of virtually no inflationary adjustment – but it is not enough to help millions of seniors make ends meet.
“Two-thirds of retirees rely on Social Security for the majority of their income. For nearly 1 in 3 retirees, it represents 90% or more of their income. A two percent COLA – an average of $27 a month – isn’t adequate to help them deal with the rising costs of health care, food and transportation. That’s why the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force is committed not just to protecting and expanding Social Security benefits but to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and other basic necessities.
“Retirees deserve a better deal – and Democrats will fight to make sure that they get it.”
The 2.0 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 61 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits) The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $128,700 from $127,200. Of the estimated 175 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2018, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Seniors Task Force Chairs Doris O. Matsui (D-CA, 6th) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with Vice Chairs Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Charlie Crist (D-FL), released the following statement on the announcement of a 2 percent Social Security COLA increase for beneficiaries:
“Today’s announcement of a 2 percent increase in the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is welcome news after two years of virtually no inflationary adjustment – but it is not enough to help millions of seniors make ends meet.
“Two-thirds of retirees rely on Social Security for the majority of their income. For nearly 1 in 3 retirees, it represents 90% or more of their income. A two percent COLA – an average of $27 a month – isn’t adequate to help them deal with the rising costs of health care, food and transportation. That’s why the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force is committed not just to protecting and expanding Social Security benefits but to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and other basic necessities.
“Retirees deserve a better deal – and Democrats will fight to make sure that they get it.”
Monday, October 16, 2017
Trump signs executive order on Healthcare (page 4)
This is continued from Page 3
Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL, 20th)
“The President announced today that he will purposefully spike healthcare premiums for millions of people. Make no mistake about it: this is not about improving healthcare or trying to help the American people; it is about rolling back anything President Obama accomplished.
“Instead of fixing the very workable problems we have, the President and his friends in Congress are purposefully destabilizing the marketplace. Time and time again they have tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. They have failed every time – not because of Congressional dysfunction, but because they have no alternatives that don’t result in millions of people losing their insurance. This is the second time in 24 hours the President has undermined the ACA marketplaces. The effects will be real and they will be severe.
“President Trump now owns this issue. Every premium increase, every denied claim, and every American life lost from inadequate healthcare now lies at Donald Trump’s feet. This is a shameful and tragic day. The American people will remember who destroyed affordable healthcare.”
Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th)
“I condemn the President’s action to undermine the health insurance marketplace in the strongest terms possible. It is wrongheaded and frankly, just plain mean. It will spike the cost of premiums purchased through the state exchanges and will cause insurance to become unaffordable to countless of our neighbors.
“This is a purposeful sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and the consequences are no mystery — people will be hurt.
“It is now the job of Congress to double down on the bipartisan efforts currently underway to improve the Affordable Care Act and avert the disastrous effects of the President’s executive order.”
Heck is a cosponsor of H.R. 3748, the Medicare Buy-In Health Care Stabilization Act, which would allow Americans ages 50-64 to buy into Medicare, enacts new steps to stabilize the individual market, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services negotiate volume discounts on prescription drugs for all Medicare beneficiaries. Heck is also a cosponsor of H.R.3258, the Marketplace Certainty Act, which would permanently fund Cost Sharing Reductions subsidies (CSRs) to help prevent health care from becoming unaffordable for American families and bring financial stability to the health care marketplace (the Washington Health Plan Finder).
On March 22, Congressman Heck spoke on the House floor and urged his colleagues to vote against the American Health Care Act. He also spoke on the House floor against repealing the Affordable Care Act previously, telling Marty’s story on January 13, telling Shirley and Sarah’s story on February 3, telling Baby Gracie’s story on February 14, , and reading Sherry’s letter on March 8. Congressman Heck also invited Kelty Pierce to share her story with Congress as a guest for the President’s Joint Address to Congress.
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)
“Here in Washington state, Association Health Plans (AHPs) currently provide roughly 400,000 individuals with quality, affordable health care plans – and that’s despite these popular programs being undermined and restricted by our state’s Insurance Commissioner. For many years, I’ve worked in a bipartisan manner to strengthen AHPs because they are a critical solution to making good health care more attainable for more people. If implemented correctly, the President’s expansion of AHPs could help bring down costs of quality care for thousands of Washingtonians.
“Unfortunately, supporting small businesses who want to provide health coverage for employees is one of the greatest areas of failure under the Affordable Care Act; the Obamacare small business exchange operated by Washington state only insures 164 people across all of Washington. There is no reason why small businesses shouldn’t be able to band together and offer employees the same types of quality health care plans as labor unions and large corporations do, and I will be eagerly monitoring how this executive order is implemented and will help however I can to make sure it is successful here in Southwest Washington.”
Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD, 5th)
“The Trump Administration’s announcement last night that it intends to end cost-sharing reduction payments will irreparably harm thousands of Maryland families. According to the Maryland Health Connection, 56% of Marylanders enrolled in the exchange qualify for a cost-sharing reduction. Without these payments, families across our state will see their copayments and deductibles increase dramatically. Furthermore, the Trump Administration’s action could potentially drive insurers out of the market entirely.
“This reckless action by the Trump Administration will not only raise premiums for thousands of Marylanders, but force the collapse of health insurance markets throughout the nation. I urge my colleagues in Congress to work expeditiously to stabilize our insurance markets and work to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.”
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th)
“This year, the American people defeated Republican attempts to ram through a repeal of the Affordable Care Act on three separate occasions. With this executive order, President Trump is defying the will of the people, damaging our health care and continuing his assault on the Affordable Care Act. This order greenlights the sales of bare-bones insurance policies – what I call Trump Plans – with fewer protections and fewer benefits for patients, and scraps measures that prevent Americans from being charged higher premiums because of medical conditions.
“I call on President Trump to respect the will of the American people and cease and desist in his efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.”
Evan Jenkins (R-WV, 3rd)
“Obamacare is clearly failing, as we saw with this week’s announcement that premiums for West Virginians on the exchange will go up by almost 25 percent next year. That means West Virginians will be paying a nearly 200 percent increase in premiums under Obamacare.
“I applaud President Trump for acting to lower health insurance premiums and give families and small businesses more choices. In fact, I voted in March to help pass a bill that would have allowed for the creation of association health plans, one of the actions the president took today. That bill has stalled in the Senate, along with many other bills to fix our healthcare system, leaving President Trump no choice but to act.
“This executive order is an important step toward more affordable healthcare premiums, more competition and more choices – putting patients in control of their healthcare needs.”
Bill Johnson (R-OH, 6th)
“The Obamacare cost-sharing reduction subsidies were never on solid legal ground – a federal court said as much last year. Congress did not appropriate these funds, as would be required by law. Under our Constitution, the power of the purse belongs to Congress – not the President. That’s how our system of government works.
“Here's what we know...the current health law is unsustainable in its current form. Perhaps today’s announcement to reverse the unappropriated Obamacare subsidies will spur the Senate to follow the lead of the House and pass meaningful legislation to benefit the American people. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats to work together to repeal Obamacare, and replace it with affordable, high-quality, patient-centered health care solutions."
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX, 30th)
“President Trump is failing the American people when he chooses not to exercise proper judgment and action when reviewing what is truly at stake for those who will lose their health care coverage due to his proposed policies,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “By signing an executive order the president is creating an unleveled playing field for certain insurance companies allowing “short-term” plans to play by different rules.”
“This legislation has the ability to rob millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions of affordable health coverage. And it will allow businesses to provide coverage that doesn’t cover much at all. Congresswoman Johnson continued to stress, “it is important we work together in Congress to provide all Americans with access and affordable health care without driving up costs that will ultimately cut their coverage. We should continue to listen to how our constituents and those across the nation are personally impacted by the health care system, instead of making unilateral decisions that can ultimately harm millions.”
Henry C. (Hank) Johnson, Jr. (D-GA, 4th)
“Today, Trump continued his crusade against President Obama’s legacy by refusing to pay critical life-saving, cost-sharing subsidies,” said Johnson. “These payments enable more than seven million poor and middle-class Americans in the individual marketplace -- many of them chronically ill -- to purchase affordable health insurance. Along with his Executive Order yesterday that enriches health insurers by authorizing them to sell worthless health insurance policies across state lines, President Trump has delivered a double whammy that dramatically weakens the individual marketplace. His callous and thoughtless actions will cause needless suffering and possible death for the more than seven million Americans who depend on the individual marketplace for affordable health care.”
Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th)
“Obamacare is imploding and harming the American people in the process. High premiums and low-quality care have become the new normal, but President Trump has made a commitment to get real relief to the American people. While I agree with the president’s sense of urgency, a permanent solution requires Congressional action. We must act swiftly and decisively to restore stability in the market place in support of today’s announcement.”
Jim Jordan (R-OH, 4th)
“President Trump is doing what voters sent him here to do. Today’s executive order on healthcare will start to give everyday Americans the relief they need from soaring premiums. But an executive order is not a permanent fix. Republicans in Congress need to follow the president’s lead and repeal Obamacare like we promised we would since 2010.”
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH, 9th)
“The President’s Executive Order and threats to ends cost reduction payments amount to sabotage for the health care of many Americans. People will see higher premiums and loss of coverage as a result of these actions, all to satisfy a careless Republican campaign promise.
“The President has already slashed outreach and assistance programs that helped many Ohioans enroll in health care, and this is another wrongheaded and destructive move. We need solutions that stabilize our health insurance system so Americans can get the care they need without having to worry about another politically motivated action from this President or Republican leaders in Congress.”
Robin Kelly (D-IL, 7th)
"Today's Executive Order is just the latest effort to undermine healthcare for millions of Illinoisans and sabotage market place stability, which will raise costs on American families.
It's time to stop playing politics and work together to reduce premiums and increase access to care.
This order makes zero sense from a health care or economic perspective. It serves only to deliver political points for Republicans entrapped by their own failure to legislate."
Joseph P. Kennedy, 3rd (D-MA, 4th)
“Segregating the sick and suffering from the wealthy and healthy will not only cause physical, mental and emotional pain, it will bankrupt families facing unexpected tragedies. With his unilateral action today, President Trump alone has obliterated the promise of protection for preexisting conditions and the guarantee of essential health benefits for millions of Americans. More than that, he is capitalizing on his belief that our nation is not strong enough to care for all of our citizens and, once again, he will be proven wrong.
“In the midst of an opioid epidemic and a mental health crisis in our nation, this Executive Order hollows out existing behavioral health parity laws. For those in the grips of addiction, treatment will become inaccessible and unaffordable. All of my colleagues in Congress who have expressed concern for this epidemic should immediately announce their opposition to this reckless Order.”
Kennedy has been an outspoken opponent of TrumpCare, with a particular focus on its assault on mental health care, substance use disorder treatment and Medicaid.
Ruben Kihuen (D-NV, 4th)
“One thing is clear: President Trump and Washington Republicans are determined to sabotage our country's health care system, regardless of how many people are left without the coverage they desperately need. Unilaterally ending the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments will increase premiums and deductibles, driving up out-of-pocket costs for hardworking families across the country. Nevadans could see their premiums spike by 15%, putting the health and financial security of our seniors, veterans, and hardworking families in jeopardy. In the absence of leadership from the Trump Administration, I urge my Republican colleagues to work with Democrats to pass the Marketplace Certainty Act, which would make these CSR payments permanent and help stabilize the healthcare marketplace.”
Daniel Kildee (D-MA, 5th)
“President Trump is actively undermining our health care system and causing instability in the marketplace. President Trump’s latest actions to sabotage our health care system will mean higher premiums for working families. Today’s Executive Order allows health insurance companies to offer junk health care plans with few benefits. It is health insurance in name only – it does not provide affordable or quality care.
“I am ready and willing to work with Republicans to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs. Republicans must drop their obsession with repeal and instead be willing to find bipartisan improvements to our system.”
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL, 8th)
Dear President Trump:
When discussing healthcare on September 27, 2015, you promised that “I am going to take care of everybody... Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now.” Earlier this year, on January 15, 2017, you confirmed that “We’re going to have insurance for everybody.”
In light of your decision on October 12 to end the cost-sharing reduction payments, I wanted to call your attention to the August 2017 Congressional Budget Office report entitled “The Effects of Terminating Payments for Cost-Sharing Reductions.”
The conclusions found by the CBO are staggering. Premiums for the average plan would increase 20-25% by 2020, with the full brunt of that cost falling on the consumers. Since 5% of Americans would be unable to purchase insurance on the individual market, 1 million Americans would lose their healthcare. For context, as of October 11, 2017, every county in the United States is expected to have at least one insurance option for 2018's health plans.
Beyond the very human harm, ending CSR payments would have devastating effects on the federal budget. With the above-mentioned increase in premiums, tax credits for premium assistance would necessarily rise as well. Since the government is legally obligated to provide these tax credits, the CBO estimates that the federal budget deficit would increase by $194 billion over 10 years.
This plan is particularly cruel to the 6.7 million middle-class Americans whose premiums will increase but who do not qualify for the tax subsidies. These middle-class families would see their out-of-pocket costs increase just to access the same level of care.
I have enclosed a copy of the report for your review. The CBO has been long-recognized as an independent, nonpartisan, and fact-based source of data for lawmakers. I have found their research invaluable in the past, and I hope this can be equally helpful to you in keeping your promises to the American people.
Sincerely,
Ann Kuster (D-NH, 2nd)
"This deliberate effort by President Trump to destroy the ACA is going to have devastating consequences for real people and families in New Hampshire and across the country. Ending cost-sharing reduction payments will spike premiums at a time when we should be working to reduce costs and expand access to care. There is support among both Republicans and Democrats for continuing these payments and for measures such as reinsurance programs that would help to stabilize the individual marketplace and rein in costs, but President Trump is hell-bent on undermining, not fixing the ACA. Sadly, President Trump's damaging executive order will make working together across the aisle to improve our healthcare system all the more difficult."
Doug Lamborn (R-CO, 5th)
"President Trump's executive order reverses many harmful measures taken against healthcare by the previous administration. In 2014, the House voted to challenge the Obama administration's unconstitutional spending. Obamacare made payment that were unauthorized by Congress and therefore illegal. This executive order appropriately restores Congress's authority to govern and represent the American people who voted for them."
Leonard Lance (R-NJ, 7th)
“I have long argued that funding for the cost-sharing reduction program is unconstitutional. Under our Constitution, the power of the purse belongs to Congress and a federal court last year affirmed this view by deeming these health insurance subsidy payments illegal. Now Congress must act and pass the Problem Solvers Caucus health care plan that I have endorsed. It funds the cost-sharing reduction program through the congressional appropriations process and implements free-market policies to improve our health care system and lower medical and insurance costs for all.”
Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)
“I strongly condemn the President’s reckless actions to destabilize the health insurance market just two and half weeks before the 2018 open enrollment period begins. The President’s Executive Order and subsequent decision to abruptly end Cost Sharing Reduction payments is a one-two punch that will directly affect the affordability of health coverage for hardworking families. Choking off these payments will drive up premiums for many Americans already struggling to pay for insurance. The Administration is sabotaging critical pieces of a law that has provided millions of people with access to care in a cynical attempt to precipitate a crisis.
“We should be working together to strengthen our health care system. That is why I introduced the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace Improvement Act to lower costs and give consumers more options. It is high time that Republicans join Democrats in offering constructive solutions to expand access to health care rather than continuing their crusade against the Affordable Care Act.”
John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)
“Those impacted by this decision are not statistics or a part of a political play; they are human beings, our fellow American citizens, who are being treated unfairly by this administration. Between cutting funding for Affordable Care Act enrollment outreach, to pursuing new regulations to blow holes in the law that allow the sale of junk insurance, they are out to sabotage our health care system. On average, insurers across the nation have already raised their premiums by 20 percent because of threats from the President to end CSR payments. This is harmful, cruel and unnecessary,” said Larson. “In Connecticut, nearly 46,000 residents benefit from the cost-sharing reduction program, which helps reduce the cost of co-payments and deductibles for individuals and families who earn less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Now more than ever, it is time for bipartisan action on commonsense solutions to improve our health care system, since the Trump Administration is determined to sabotage, and not help.”
On September 12th, Reps. Larson, Courtney, and Higgins introduced the Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act (H.R. 3748) to help improve existing CSR payments, make them available for more middle-class Americans, and allow Americans ages 50 to 64 to buy-into Medicare. The bill also proposes other ways to bolster stability in the marketplaces and bring down health care costs by finding innovative ways to reduce billions in waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system.
Sander Levin (D-MI, 9th)
“President Trump is continuing his hateful efforts to deny or disrupt health coverage for American families. His most recent decision to end needed federal assistance to help reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses will directly increase costs for millions of middle-class and moderate-income families.
“Republicans in Congress have repeatedly rejected efforts by Democrats to prevent the President from taking this reckless step. They bear full responsibility for the consequences of their actions.”
John Lewis (D-GA, 5th)
“This executive order will begin the process of deconstructing the individual and small group insurance markets health insurance markets. Additionally, this administration recently confirmed its intent to end support for the cost sharing reductions that help many Americans afford health insurance.
“Taken together, these mean-spirited actions constitute an attack on women’s health, on those living with illness or injury, and on every American living paycheck to paycheck – month to month. Low-income people will lose their health care. Seniors who are not yet on Medicare will become more vulnerable, and those struggling to make ends meet will suffer unnecessarily. Make no mistake: This is the latest tactic of a piecemeal effort to strip away the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.
“I want to be clear – there is no policy justification for this executive order. The sole purpose is to increase the suffering of countless Americans and score political points. The health and well-being of Americans should not be the subject of political games. The American people deserve better – much better. There is no place for such maliciousness in public policy; too much is at stake.”
Alan Lowenthal (D-CA, 47th)
“President Trump has created a constant strain on the healthcare market since before he even took office. By entering the presidency promising to do away with the Affordable Care Act, and continuing to rail against its very existence, he has raised serious concerns and spread uncertainty among insurance providers—all with the result of increased premiums.
Now his actions have graduated from bluster and rhetoric to outright sabotage.
Yesterday, the president signed an executive order allowing cheaper plans with less coverage to be sold across state lines—an obvious attempt to drain younger healthier people out of the ACA marketplace. This would result in increased premiums for those Americans who rely on the ACA marketplaces and are most in need of quality healthcare coverage.
Even worse, today, the president said he plans to stop providing subsidy payments to ACA insurers. But insurers and customers alike will suffer. More than six million low-income Americans who receive cost-sharing subsidies are now threatened with a loss of their insurance. The Congressional Budget Office already stated that this would result in ACA premium increases around 20% and may result in many insurers pulling out of the market all together.
Thankfully, Covered California has already taken precautionary steps to avoid a statewide market collapse resulting from this kind of action from the president.
I also support California’s further action in suing the administration for its efforts not to live up to the promises that the Affordable Care Act granted insurers, states, and the American people.”
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
“This is yet another desperate attempt by President Trump to deliberately sabotage the Affordable Care Act after Republicans in Congress failed to repeal it. Members of both parties support continuing cost-sharing reduction payments because they help maintain stability in the health insurance market and ensure that prices do not spike for low-income Americans. Unfortunately, President Trump seems intent on single-handedly destroying patient protections and cost-saving protections currently in place. Ending cost-sharing payments is a reckless and thoughtless action that will cause severe harm for millions of people across the country.
“In order to reverse President Trump’s action, Congress should immediately take up the Marketplace Certainty Act (HR 3528), which would provide permanent funding for cost-sharing payments. Congress has a responsibility to keep people safe. By continuing cost-sharing payments we can live up to that responsibility by ensuring that millions of low-income Americans continue to have access to affordable health insurance and the care they need.”
Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL, 20th)
“The President announced today that he will purposefully spike healthcare premiums for millions of people. Make no mistake about it: this is not about improving healthcare or trying to help the American people; it is about rolling back anything President Obama accomplished.
“Instead of fixing the very workable problems we have, the President and his friends in Congress are purposefully destabilizing the marketplace. Time and time again they have tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. They have failed every time – not because of Congressional dysfunction, but because they have no alternatives that don’t result in millions of people losing their insurance. This is the second time in 24 hours the President has undermined the ACA marketplaces. The effects will be real and they will be severe.
“President Trump now owns this issue. Every premium increase, every denied claim, and every American life lost from inadequate healthcare now lies at Donald Trump’s feet. This is a shameful and tragic day. The American people will remember who destroyed affordable healthcare.”
Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th)
“I condemn the President’s action to undermine the health insurance marketplace in the strongest terms possible. It is wrongheaded and frankly, just plain mean. It will spike the cost of premiums purchased through the state exchanges and will cause insurance to become unaffordable to countless of our neighbors.
“This is a purposeful sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and the consequences are no mystery — people will be hurt.
“It is now the job of Congress to double down on the bipartisan efforts currently underway to improve the Affordable Care Act and avert the disastrous effects of the President’s executive order.”
Heck is a cosponsor of H.R. 3748, the Medicare Buy-In Health Care Stabilization Act, which would allow Americans ages 50-64 to buy into Medicare, enacts new steps to stabilize the individual market, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services negotiate volume discounts on prescription drugs for all Medicare beneficiaries. Heck is also a cosponsor of H.R.3258, the Marketplace Certainty Act, which would permanently fund Cost Sharing Reductions subsidies (CSRs) to help prevent health care from becoming unaffordable for American families and bring financial stability to the health care marketplace (the Washington Health Plan Finder).
On March 22, Congressman Heck spoke on the House floor and urged his colleagues to vote against the American Health Care Act. He also spoke on the House floor against repealing the Affordable Care Act previously, telling Marty’s story on January 13, telling Shirley and Sarah’s story on February 3, telling Baby Gracie’s story on February 14, , and reading Sherry’s letter on March 8. Congressman Heck also invited Kelty Pierce to share her story with Congress as a guest for the President’s Joint Address to Congress.
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)
“Here in Washington state, Association Health Plans (AHPs) currently provide roughly 400,000 individuals with quality, affordable health care plans – and that’s despite these popular programs being undermined and restricted by our state’s Insurance Commissioner. For many years, I’ve worked in a bipartisan manner to strengthen AHPs because they are a critical solution to making good health care more attainable for more people. If implemented correctly, the President’s expansion of AHPs could help bring down costs of quality care for thousands of Washingtonians.
“Unfortunately, supporting small businesses who want to provide health coverage for employees is one of the greatest areas of failure under the Affordable Care Act; the Obamacare small business exchange operated by Washington state only insures 164 people across all of Washington. There is no reason why small businesses shouldn’t be able to band together and offer employees the same types of quality health care plans as labor unions and large corporations do, and I will be eagerly monitoring how this executive order is implemented and will help however I can to make sure it is successful here in Southwest Washington.”
Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD, 5th)
“The Trump Administration’s announcement last night that it intends to end cost-sharing reduction payments will irreparably harm thousands of Maryland families. According to the Maryland Health Connection, 56% of Marylanders enrolled in the exchange qualify for a cost-sharing reduction. Without these payments, families across our state will see their copayments and deductibles increase dramatically. Furthermore, the Trump Administration’s action could potentially drive insurers out of the market entirely.
“This reckless action by the Trump Administration will not only raise premiums for thousands of Marylanders, but force the collapse of health insurance markets throughout the nation. I urge my colleagues in Congress to work expeditiously to stabilize our insurance markets and work to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.”
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th)
“This year, the American people defeated Republican attempts to ram through a repeal of the Affordable Care Act on three separate occasions. With this executive order, President Trump is defying the will of the people, damaging our health care and continuing his assault on the Affordable Care Act. This order greenlights the sales of bare-bones insurance policies – what I call Trump Plans – with fewer protections and fewer benefits for patients, and scraps measures that prevent Americans from being charged higher premiums because of medical conditions.
“I call on President Trump to respect the will of the American people and cease and desist in his efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.”
Evan Jenkins (R-WV, 3rd)
“Obamacare is clearly failing, as we saw with this week’s announcement that premiums for West Virginians on the exchange will go up by almost 25 percent next year. That means West Virginians will be paying a nearly 200 percent increase in premiums under Obamacare.
“I applaud President Trump for acting to lower health insurance premiums and give families and small businesses more choices. In fact, I voted in March to help pass a bill that would have allowed for the creation of association health plans, one of the actions the president took today. That bill has stalled in the Senate, along with many other bills to fix our healthcare system, leaving President Trump no choice but to act.
“This executive order is an important step toward more affordable healthcare premiums, more competition and more choices – putting patients in control of their healthcare needs.”
Bill Johnson (R-OH, 6th)
“The Obamacare cost-sharing reduction subsidies were never on solid legal ground – a federal court said as much last year. Congress did not appropriate these funds, as would be required by law. Under our Constitution, the power of the purse belongs to Congress – not the President. That’s how our system of government works.
“Here's what we know...the current health law is unsustainable in its current form. Perhaps today’s announcement to reverse the unappropriated Obamacare subsidies will spur the Senate to follow the lead of the House and pass meaningful legislation to benefit the American people. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats to work together to repeal Obamacare, and replace it with affordable, high-quality, patient-centered health care solutions."
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX, 30th)
“President Trump is failing the American people when he chooses not to exercise proper judgment and action when reviewing what is truly at stake for those who will lose their health care coverage due to his proposed policies,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “By signing an executive order the president is creating an unleveled playing field for certain insurance companies allowing “short-term” plans to play by different rules.”
“This legislation has the ability to rob millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions of affordable health coverage. And it will allow businesses to provide coverage that doesn’t cover much at all. Congresswoman Johnson continued to stress, “it is important we work together in Congress to provide all Americans with access and affordable health care without driving up costs that will ultimately cut their coverage. We should continue to listen to how our constituents and those across the nation are personally impacted by the health care system, instead of making unilateral decisions that can ultimately harm millions.”
Henry C. (Hank) Johnson, Jr. (D-GA, 4th)
“Today, Trump continued his crusade against President Obama’s legacy by refusing to pay critical life-saving, cost-sharing subsidies,” said Johnson. “These payments enable more than seven million poor and middle-class Americans in the individual marketplace -- many of them chronically ill -- to purchase affordable health insurance. Along with his Executive Order yesterday that enriches health insurers by authorizing them to sell worthless health insurance policies across state lines, President Trump has delivered a double whammy that dramatically weakens the individual marketplace. His callous and thoughtless actions will cause needless suffering and possible death for the more than seven million Americans who depend on the individual marketplace for affordable health care.”
Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th)
“Obamacare is imploding and harming the American people in the process. High premiums and low-quality care have become the new normal, but President Trump has made a commitment to get real relief to the American people. While I agree with the president’s sense of urgency, a permanent solution requires Congressional action. We must act swiftly and decisively to restore stability in the market place in support of today’s announcement.”
Jim Jordan (R-OH, 4th)
“President Trump is doing what voters sent him here to do. Today’s executive order on healthcare will start to give everyday Americans the relief they need from soaring premiums. But an executive order is not a permanent fix. Republicans in Congress need to follow the president’s lead and repeal Obamacare like we promised we would since 2010.”
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH, 9th)
“The President’s Executive Order and threats to ends cost reduction payments amount to sabotage for the health care of many Americans. People will see higher premiums and loss of coverage as a result of these actions, all to satisfy a careless Republican campaign promise.
“The President has already slashed outreach and assistance programs that helped many Ohioans enroll in health care, and this is another wrongheaded and destructive move. We need solutions that stabilize our health insurance system so Americans can get the care they need without having to worry about another politically motivated action from this President or Republican leaders in Congress.”
Robin Kelly (D-IL, 7th)
"Today's Executive Order is just the latest effort to undermine healthcare for millions of Illinoisans and sabotage market place stability, which will raise costs on American families.
It's time to stop playing politics and work together to reduce premiums and increase access to care.
This order makes zero sense from a health care or economic perspective. It serves only to deliver political points for Republicans entrapped by their own failure to legislate."
Joseph P. Kennedy, 3rd (D-MA, 4th)
“Segregating the sick and suffering from the wealthy and healthy will not only cause physical, mental and emotional pain, it will bankrupt families facing unexpected tragedies. With his unilateral action today, President Trump alone has obliterated the promise of protection for preexisting conditions and the guarantee of essential health benefits for millions of Americans. More than that, he is capitalizing on his belief that our nation is not strong enough to care for all of our citizens and, once again, he will be proven wrong.
“In the midst of an opioid epidemic and a mental health crisis in our nation, this Executive Order hollows out existing behavioral health parity laws. For those in the grips of addiction, treatment will become inaccessible and unaffordable. All of my colleagues in Congress who have expressed concern for this epidemic should immediately announce their opposition to this reckless Order.”
Kennedy has been an outspoken opponent of TrumpCare, with a particular focus on its assault on mental health care, substance use disorder treatment and Medicaid.
Ruben Kihuen (D-NV, 4th)
“One thing is clear: President Trump and Washington Republicans are determined to sabotage our country's health care system, regardless of how many people are left without the coverage they desperately need. Unilaterally ending the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments will increase premiums and deductibles, driving up out-of-pocket costs for hardworking families across the country. Nevadans could see their premiums spike by 15%, putting the health and financial security of our seniors, veterans, and hardworking families in jeopardy. In the absence of leadership from the Trump Administration, I urge my Republican colleagues to work with Democrats to pass the Marketplace Certainty Act, which would make these CSR payments permanent and help stabilize the healthcare marketplace.”
Daniel Kildee (D-MA, 5th)
“President Trump is actively undermining our health care system and causing instability in the marketplace. President Trump’s latest actions to sabotage our health care system will mean higher premiums for working families. Today’s Executive Order allows health insurance companies to offer junk health care plans with few benefits. It is health insurance in name only – it does not provide affordable or quality care.
“I am ready and willing to work with Republicans to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs. Republicans must drop their obsession with repeal and instead be willing to find bipartisan improvements to our system.”
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL, 8th)
Dear President Trump:
When discussing healthcare on September 27, 2015, you promised that “I am going to take care of everybody... Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now.” Earlier this year, on January 15, 2017, you confirmed that “We’re going to have insurance for everybody.”
In light of your decision on October 12 to end the cost-sharing reduction payments, I wanted to call your attention to the August 2017 Congressional Budget Office report entitled “The Effects of Terminating Payments for Cost-Sharing Reductions.”
The conclusions found by the CBO are staggering. Premiums for the average plan would increase 20-25% by 2020, with the full brunt of that cost falling on the consumers. Since 5% of Americans would be unable to purchase insurance on the individual market, 1 million Americans would lose their healthcare. For context, as of October 11, 2017, every county in the United States is expected to have at least one insurance option for 2018's health plans.
Beyond the very human harm, ending CSR payments would have devastating effects on the federal budget. With the above-mentioned increase in premiums, tax credits for premium assistance would necessarily rise as well. Since the government is legally obligated to provide these tax credits, the CBO estimates that the federal budget deficit would increase by $194 billion over 10 years.
This plan is particularly cruel to the 6.7 million middle-class Americans whose premiums will increase but who do not qualify for the tax subsidies. These middle-class families would see their out-of-pocket costs increase just to access the same level of care.
I have enclosed a copy of the report for your review. The CBO has been long-recognized as an independent, nonpartisan, and fact-based source of data for lawmakers. I have found their research invaluable in the past, and I hope this can be equally helpful to you in keeping your promises to the American people.
Sincerely,
Ann Kuster (D-NH, 2nd)
"This deliberate effort by President Trump to destroy the ACA is going to have devastating consequences for real people and families in New Hampshire and across the country. Ending cost-sharing reduction payments will spike premiums at a time when we should be working to reduce costs and expand access to care. There is support among both Republicans and Democrats for continuing these payments and for measures such as reinsurance programs that would help to stabilize the individual marketplace and rein in costs, but President Trump is hell-bent on undermining, not fixing the ACA. Sadly, President Trump's damaging executive order will make working together across the aisle to improve our healthcare system all the more difficult."
Doug Lamborn (R-CO, 5th)
"President Trump's executive order reverses many harmful measures taken against healthcare by the previous administration. In 2014, the House voted to challenge the Obama administration's unconstitutional spending. Obamacare made payment that were unauthorized by Congress and therefore illegal. This executive order appropriately restores Congress's authority to govern and represent the American people who voted for them."
Leonard Lance (R-NJ, 7th)
“I have long argued that funding for the cost-sharing reduction program is unconstitutional. Under our Constitution, the power of the purse belongs to Congress and a federal court last year affirmed this view by deeming these health insurance subsidy payments illegal. Now Congress must act and pass the Problem Solvers Caucus health care plan that I have endorsed. It funds the cost-sharing reduction program through the congressional appropriations process and implements free-market policies to improve our health care system and lower medical and insurance costs for all.”
Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)
“I strongly condemn the President’s reckless actions to destabilize the health insurance market just two and half weeks before the 2018 open enrollment period begins. The President’s Executive Order and subsequent decision to abruptly end Cost Sharing Reduction payments is a one-two punch that will directly affect the affordability of health coverage for hardworking families. Choking off these payments will drive up premiums for many Americans already struggling to pay for insurance. The Administration is sabotaging critical pieces of a law that has provided millions of people with access to care in a cynical attempt to precipitate a crisis.
“We should be working together to strengthen our health care system. That is why I introduced the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace Improvement Act to lower costs and give consumers more options. It is high time that Republicans join Democrats in offering constructive solutions to expand access to health care rather than continuing their crusade against the Affordable Care Act.”
John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)
“Those impacted by this decision are not statistics or a part of a political play; they are human beings, our fellow American citizens, who are being treated unfairly by this administration. Between cutting funding for Affordable Care Act enrollment outreach, to pursuing new regulations to blow holes in the law that allow the sale of junk insurance, they are out to sabotage our health care system. On average, insurers across the nation have already raised their premiums by 20 percent because of threats from the President to end CSR payments. This is harmful, cruel and unnecessary,” said Larson. “In Connecticut, nearly 46,000 residents benefit from the cost-sharing reduction program, which helps reduce the cost of co-payments and deductibles for individuals and families who earn less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Now more than ever, it is time for bipartisan action on commonsense solutions to improve our health care system, since the Trump Administration is determined to sabotage, and not help.”
On September 12th, Reps. Larson, Courtney, and Higgins introduced the Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act (H.R. 3748) to help improve existing CSR payments, make them available for more middle-class Americans, and allow Americans ages 50 to 64 to buy-into Medicare. The bill also proposes other ways to bolster stability in the marketplaces and bring down health care costs by finding innovative ways to reduce billions in waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system.
Sander Levin (D-MI, 9th)
“President Trump is continuing his hateful efforts to deny or disrupt health coverage for American families. His most recent decision to end needed federal assistance to help reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses will directly increase costs for millions of middle-class and moderate-income families.
“Republicans in Congress have repeatedly rejected efforts by Democrats to prevent the President from taking this reckless step. They bear full responsibility for the consequences of their actions.”
John Lewis (D-GA, 5th)
“This executive order will begin the process of deconstructing the individual and small group insurance markets health insurance markets. Additionally, this administration recently confirmed its intent to end support for the cost sharing reductions that help many Americans afford health insurance.
“Taken together, these mean-spirited actions constitute an attack on women’s health, on those living with illness or injury, and on every American living paycheck to paycheck – month to month. Low-income people will lose their health care. Seniors who are not yet on Medicare will become more vulnerable, and those struggling to make ends meet will suffer unnecessarily. Make no mistake: This is the latest tactic of a piecemeal effort to strip away the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.
“I want to be clear – there is no policy justification for this executive order. The sole purpose is to increase the suffering of countless Americans and score political points. The health and well-being of Americans should not be the subject of political games. The American people deserve better – much better. There is no place for such maliciousness in public policy; too much is at stake.”
Alan Lowenthal (D-CA, 47th)
“President Trump has created a constant strain on the healthcare market since before he even took office. By entering the presidency promising to do away with the Affordable Care Act, and continuing to rail against its very existence, he has raised serious concerns and spread uncertainty among insurance providers—all with the result of increased premiums.
Now his actions have graduated from bluster and rhetoric to outright sabotage.
Yesterday, the president signed an executive order allowing cheaper plans with less coverage to be sold across state lines—an obvious attempt to drain younger healthier people out of the ACA marketplace. This would result in increased premiums for those Americans who rely on the ACA marketplaces and are most in need of quality healthcare coverage.
Even worse, today, the president said he plans to stop providing subsidy payments to ACA insurers. But insurers and customers alike will suffer. More than six million low-income Americans who receive cost-sharing subsidies are now threatened with a loss of their insurance. The Congressional Budget Office already stated that this would result in ACA premium increases around 20% and may result in many insurers pulling out of the market all together.
Thankfully, Covered California has already taken precautionary steps to avoid a statewide market collapse resulting from this kind of action from the president.
I also support California’s further action in suing the administration for its efforts not to live up to the promises that the Affordable Care Act granted insurers, states, and the American people.”
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
“This is yet another desperate attempt by President Trump to deliberately sabotage the Affordable Care Act after Republicans in Congress failed to repeal it. Members of both parties support continuing cost-sharing reduction payments because they help maintain stability in the health insurance market and ensure that prices do not spike for low-income Americans. Unfortunately, President Trump seems intent on single-handedly destroying patient protections and cost-saving protections currently in place. Ending cost-sharing payments is a reckless and thoughtless action that will cause severe harm for millions of people across the country.
“In order to reverse President Trump’s action, Congress should immediately take up the Marketplace Certainty Act (HR 3528), which would provide permanent funding for cost-sharing payments. Congress has a responsibility to keep people safe. By continuing cost-sharing payments we can live up to that responsibility by ensuring that millions of low-income Americans continue to have access to affordable health insurance and the care they need.”
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