DURBIN CALLS OUT REPUBLICAN VOTE TO RAISE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS

The following information was released by Illinois Senator Richard J. Durbin:

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a press conference at Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation's (SIHF) Cahokia Heights Health Center following Senate Republicans' vote yesterday to raise health insurance premiums for tens of millions of Americans.

Senate Republicans voted against the Democratic legislation to extend the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, meaning Illinoisans who purchase marketplace health plans will see an average 78 percent increase in their monthly ACA premium expenses next year. Families in St. Clair and Madison Counties, which Cahokia Heights Health Center serves, will see an average $1,500 per year increase and a $1,700 per year increase, respectively.

"Because congressional Republicans refused to extend the expiring tax credits, 160,000 Illinoisans are expected to lose health care coverage," said Durbin. "Our health care providers, like the ones here at Cahokia Heights Health Center, know all too well how devastating this will be. If Republicans don't get serious about negotiating with Democrats to extend these tax credits, our nation's affordability crisis is going to get worse on January 1, and families will suffer."

"The premium spikes to the ACA will impact the coverage of over 5,000 individuals we presently care for at SIHF Healthcare locations across southern Illinois. This in return will increase uncompensated care and place financial risk to our communities served," said Larry McCulley, CEO of SIHF Healthcare.

Shortly before the Senate held its vote on extending the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits, Durbin spoke on the floor about protecting Americans' health care coverage.