DEGETTE STATEMENT ON REPUBLICAN INACTION LEADING TO DOUBLING OF HEALTH CARE COSTS IN COLORADO

The following information was released by the office of Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette:

Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after the Colorado Division of Insurance announced that health care costs are going to double on average for Coloradans who get their health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado.

"For months, Democrats have been sounding the alarm about the Republican-forced health care crisis. Now, inaction by Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, who have been on vacation for over a month, will cause health care costs to double for many of my constituents and hundreds of thousands of Coloradans. Costs are already too high under Donald Trump, and many families will now be forced to choose between staying on their health care or buying groceries.

"As the top Democrat on the Health Subcommittee, I am heading back to Washington because this is not acceptable. Republicans need to end their vacation and come back to the table with a real plan, not a concept, to fix their mess."

According to the Colorado Division of Insurance, hundreds of thousands of Coloradans enrolled in the state's individual marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, will see an average premium increase of 101%, meaning their premiums will double in cost.

DeGette recently hosted a press conference with Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway and Connect for Health CEO Kevin Patterson to address this issue and call on Republicans to act.