AMO DISCUSSES HARMS OF THE REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN WITH 17,000 RHODE ISLANDERS ON TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

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

Last night, House Republicans remained on vacation while they let the government shutdown rather than help 40,000 Rhode Islanders afford health care

Washington, D.C. LAST NIGHT, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) joined more than 17,000 Rhode Islanders to answer questions and discuss the harms of Republicans' disastrous decision to shut down the government.

"Rhode Islanders don't need a Republican shutdown, they need their health care protected, said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "Rhode Islanders from Woonsocket to East Providence to Newport shared their fears and frustrations about what this Republican shutdown will do to them and their pocketbooks. Thank you to every Rhode Islander who called in, and know that I'll keep fighting for you."

Background

As a result of the Republican government shutdown, a wide range of government services will be disrupted. Information about the impacts of the Republican government shutdown is available on my website.

Republicans are failing to extend tax credits that help more than 22 millionhard-working Americans afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Under Republicans' partisan proposal, more than 40,000Rhode Islanders could see their health care costs increase by 85%or more starting next year. Working families in Rhode Island cannot afford their monthly insurance payments to go up by more than $1,000a month.

This is the latest Republican attack on health care. Earlier this year, Republicans passed their Big, Ugly Law, which will rip health care coverage away from over 15 millionpeople and cut $1 trillionfrom our health care system.

Congressman Amohas met with Rhode Islanders across the First Congressional District to discuss these devastating attacks on health care.

Amo 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.

Amo and Congressman Seth Magaziner joined Rhode Island health care leaders to call for urgent action to address the rising cost of health insurance in the state.

HealthSource Rhode Island Director Lindsay Lang shared the impacts of Republicans' partisan funding bill with Congressman Amo in a video saying, "We're going to see people lose their health insurance" if Republicans' partisan funding bill is signed into law.