Republicans have created a health care nightmare
This week, millions of Americans are logging on to their computers for open enrollment in the health care marketplace. They're going to sit down and try to choose the health care insurance plan that fits their needs, and the needs of their family.
Except this year, things will look a little different.
Because for the first time, MILLIONS of families will log on to see that next year, their insurance premiums are going to double, even triple.
For months, Democrats have tried to negotiate with Republicans to stop these price increases from going into effect. We've been met with radio silence. In fact, Republicans are so committed to letting these price increases happen, that they shut down the entire federal government to make sure it happens.
Millions of Americans rely on the Affordable Health Care exchange to get quality, affordable health care. For those families, these health care plans are nothing short of a lifeline. Without it, they would be forced to go without coverage entirely.
Some in Oregon are starting to get notified about their premium increases. One family in Eugene is seeing their premiums go from $443 a month, to over $2200 a month. That's like being forced to pay a second mortgage.
To Donald Trump's cabal of billionaires a few hundred or thousand dollars a month probably doesn't mean much. But for most families across Oregon and the country, that cost increase is going to mean tough decisions about whether to pay rent and buy groceries, or pay for health care.
Republicans are trying to kick millions of people off their health care – again – while bending over backwards to cut taxes for billionaires and corporations. In Donald Trump's economy, billionaires win, and the rest of us lose. Simple as that.
I'm committed to working to end the government shutdown and keep health care costs down. But we can and must do both. I'm not going to support any government funding bill that leaves millions of families without the health coverage they need.
More soon,
Ron
