AHEAD OF POSSIBLE REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN, AMO RALLIES WITH PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS TO STOP FURTHER HEALTH INSURANCE HIKES

The following information was released by the office of Rhode Island Rep. Gabe Amo:

Republicans are threatening to shut down the government rather than protect more than 22 million Americans health care

CENTRAL FALLS, RI TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) rallied with health care providers, patients, and community leaders at Blackstone Valley Community Health Care to demand Republicans extend cost-saving Affordable Care Act health insurance tax credits that help Americans afford health care.

Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump cut nearly $1 trillion from Americans' health care system in their Big, Ugly Law. Now, they are undercutting the ACA, letting the health insurance tax credits that make coverage affordable expire, which would cause insurance costs to increase dramatically for more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders.

"Health care is not a luxury; it's a human right. If Congressional Republicans and Donald Trump fail to extend health insurance tax credits, millions of Americans will face impossible choices, forcing many to forgo needed care," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "Republicans' failure to act will cause more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders' premiums to skyrocket at the end of this year and make it harder for places like Blackstone Valley Community Health Center to give patients the care they deserve. I'm pushing to put Rhode Islanders first and avert a Republican shutdown.

"Families who rely on HealthSourceRI, our state's Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, are facing dramatic increases to their premiums if the enhanced premium tax credits expire," said HealthSourceRI Director, Lindsay Lang. "Thank you to Congressman Amo for championing the extension of these life changing tax credits to make sure working Rhode Island families can get the health insurance and care that they need."

"Many of my patients rely on the extended premium tax credits to help them afford their monthly health insurance payments," said Anne Barylick, nurse practitioner with Blackstone Valley Community Health. "Without the tax credits many simply won't be able to afford their premiums and will be forced to go without health insurance and the care it covers. This issue is about real people that we serve every day."

"Without the health care tax credits, my health insurance is going to be much more difficult to afford, and my family and I will need to cut back to make these payments," said Dan Correia, a patient at Blackstone Valley Community Health Center. "Thank you to Congressman Amo for fighting to extend these credits to ensure families like mine can afford health insurance."

"Community health centers serve some of the hardest working and most vulnerable members of our communities, without the ACA tax credits many won't be able to afford the coverage that keeps families healthy and will place incredible strain on community providers," said Dr. Cristina Pacheco, Blackstone Valley Community Health Center Chief Executive Officer. "Thank you to Congressman Amo for fighting to make sure that Rhode Islanders can afford the care they need."

Background

Congressman Amo has long advocated for expanding the Affordable Care Act, investing in Medicare and Medicaid, and ensuring every American has access to affordable health care.

On July 3, 2025, Congressman Amo voted no on the Big, Ugly Law, which cut $1 trillion from Americans' health care system, after speaking out against the bill on the House Floor at 3:45 AM.

On July 2, 2025, Amo took to the floor to urge adoption of an amendment to protect Medicaid and SNAP. Republicans stood in the way.

On April 9, 2025, Amo slammed the Republican budget resolution on the House floor and shared the story of a Rhode Islander in the First Congressional District who would be hurt by Republican cuts.

On February 24, 2025, Amo submitted two amendments to the House Committee on Rules to protect SNAP and affirm that Medicaid is a critical program for more than 306,000 Rhode Island residents. The Republican-controlled House Committee on Rules refused to consider Congressman Amo's amendments.

During the House Budget Committee markup on February 13, 2025, Amo offered two amendments to support protecting and extending Medicare's solvency as well as protecting SNAP, the Community Eligibility Provision, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program. Republicans voted no.

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