DNC Issues Statement on Insurance Rate Hikes in Rhode Island

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following statement by Northeast Regional Press Secretary Elizabeth Renda in response to reports that Rhode Island's health insurers finalized rate hikes of up to 8 percent for 2019:

"Next year, Rhode Island's working families will be left with the bill for Donald Trump and his Republican cronies' partisan games, which have sabotaged the American health care system. Due in large part to what the state's lead insurance regulator called a 'challenging' year with the Trump administration's efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, Rhode Island health insurers will raise average premium rates by up to 8 percent next year. The Republican Party should be ashamed that their partisan-fueled attacks on the Affordable Care Act are responsible for making it harder for working Rhode Island families to access the health care they deserve.

"Republican Mayor Allan Fung has proven time and again that, as governor, he would not protect Rhode Islanders' health care. He's refused to comment on the Trump administration's moves to allow insurers to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, which could jeopardize as many as 463,000 Rhode Islanders' access to coverage.

"It's time for Trump and Republicans in Congress to stop playing games with Americans' health care and start joining Democrats by working to make health care accessible to every family. Quality, affordable health care should be a right for all Americans, not a privilege for the wealthy few."