Oregonians deserve better than a “pinky promise”

Last week, the Senate voted to reopen the federal government without a firm roadmap for addressing the skyrocketing health care costs Oregonians and millions of Americans are facing.

I made a promise from the start: I couldn't support any legislation that failed to keep health care premiums affordable.

Donald Trump and his closest Republican allies in Congress have made it clear they have absolutely no interest in extending the subsidies that would prevent those premium hikes — and yet, the Senate has passed this bill on the mere "promise" that we'll get a vote to extend the subsidies in a few weeks.

Just a vote. No guarantee that Senate Republicans will provide the support needed for passage. And certainly no guarantee that House Republicans would take it up after.

It isn't even a pinky promise — and Oregonians deserve so much more than a pinky promise.

This is far from the situation I hoped we'd be in near the end of the year. I repeatedly called on Republicans to address the looming health care crisis. And now, we've got one more chance in December.

Millions of families are facing skyrocketing costs. One couple from Eugene will see their premiums go from roughly $400 a month to $2200 a month because of failed Republican leadership. That's simply unaffordable.

So I'm going to keep fighting. I'm going to keep amplifying the stories of everyone who depends upon Affordable Care Act subsidies to stay on their health insurance plans. It's a life-or-death issue for them, and Senate and House Republicans must be reminded of it every day while we still have time to act.

On behalf of everyone in Oregon and across the country, fearful of soaring health care costs, I will not let your voices go unheard.

More soon, Ron