Baldwin Slams Republican Price Hikes on Health Care As Open Enrollment Ends for ACA Marketplace Coverage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called out President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for doing nothing to stop 275,000 Wisconsinites’ health care premiums from skyrocketing as the open enrollment period ends for coverage beginning on January 1st. Last week, Senate Republicans rejected a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which will cause 22 million Americans’ premiums to double on average starting on January 1st.

“Today, Donald Trump and Republicans finally ran out the clock and locked in price hikes on millions of Americans’ premiums for next year. While Wisconsinites make tremendous sacrifices to afford their coverage, millions more will decide to go without health insurance. Make no mistake: Republicans caused this crisis and now it’s Wisconsin’s small businesses, farmers, and working families who will pay the price,” said Senator Baldwin. “While the American people have been clear – in polls and at the ballot box – that they desperately need a little bit of breathing room, Republicans have once again prioritized billionaire tax breaks while asking Wisconsinites to make do with less. I will never give up the fight to bring down costs and deliver on affordable care for my constituents.”

For months, Senator Baldwin has been pushing to extend these tax credits and leads legislation that would make them permanent. Last month, Senator Baldwin forced a Senate vote to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin’s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate. Last week, she took to the Senate floor to implore her Republican colleagues to join Democrats and extend these vital tax breaks.

In recent weeks, Senator Baldwin has traveled the state, making stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight how the expiration of these tax credits will hurt working families, small businesses, and farmers. She’s also hosted roundtables with constituents while in D.C., including with Wisconsinites from La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee, in addition to meeting with Wisconsin farmers who use the Affordable Care Act. She also convened Governor Tony Evers and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) to highlight just how much Wisconsinites’ premiums would rise without these tax credits.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.