DURBIN SLAMS SENATE REPUBLICANS FOR FAILING TO ADDRESS RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES

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

"In Illinois, a 60-year-old couple with an income of $82,000 could see their annual premiums increase $17,000 a year if the enhanced premium tax credits are not extended. That's an increase of $1,400 a month," Durbin said in his speech on the Senate floor

WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing congressional Republicans for allowing the government shutdown to continue because their caucus refuses to negotiate with Senate Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. If these tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year, more than four million Americans could lose their health coverage, and more than 20 million Americans are expected to see a significant rise in their premiums.

"The Republican Party controls the presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Despite that trifecta, the government has been shut down for 15 long days and counting. As Americans suffer, Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson insist Congressional Republicans will address expiring Affordable Care Act health insurance premium tax credits after the government reopens," Durbin began. "But do the American people have any reason to believe that congressional Republicans really are going to work to save health care for millions of Americans? Not if you look at the record."

"In the past eight months, Democrats have repeatedly tried to extend these ACA premium tax credits...We created a program to provide tax credits for many families who otherwise couldn't have a good health insurance policy. The Republicans in the 'Big Beautiful Bill' [refused to extend these tax credits]...which means the burden will fall on these families without any help of the tax code in a matter of weeks," Durbin said.

Durbin recounted the numerous attempts by Senate Democrats to extend the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits, all of which were voted down by Senate Republicans.

"In February, Senator Shaheen of New Hampshire offered an amendment to the first budget resolution to protect these tax credits. Senate Republicans voted against it, and the amendment failed," Durbin said. "In April, Senator Shaheen went up again and offered another amendment to the second budget resolution, doing exactly the same thing. Once again, the Republicans had a chance to correct the error they made in this 'Big Beautiful Bill,' but they voted against it."

"In June, Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia offered an amendment to the Republican's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' to save the enhanced premium tax credits a third time. You know what happened? You could guess it. Every Republican Senator voted against the amendment," Durbin said.

"And let us not forget that, for the past 15 years, the American people have been waiting for the Republican Party's Affordable Care Act 'replacement' plan," Durbin said.

Durbin recalled President Trump's attempt to repeal the ACA in his first term. Then-Senator John McCain (R-AZ) joined with Senate Democrats to save the health insurance program for millions of Americans with his decisive vote.

"In Trump's first term, he made an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He wouldn't describe to the American people what he was going to replace it with, but he was damn determined to get it repealed. It led to a moment I'll never forget on the floor of the Senate," Durbin said.

"It came down to the vote of John McCain, former Senator, Republican, from Arizona. He went through those doors to my right. He was gone for a few minutes. People said he's talking to President Trump. Trump was trying to convince him to put an end to Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, once and for all. John McCain was his own man... He voted his conscience. He walked through that door. A hush fell over the chamber. He stood in the well right on the corner of that table and lifted his right arm as far as he couldyou'll remember his arm was broken many times when he was a prisoner of warand came down hard with a 'no.' With that single vote, John McCain saved the Affordable Care Act for millions of Americans and gave them health insurance they can afford for their families," Durbin said.

Durbin emphasized that Congress must immediately address the cost of health care as Illinoisans are expected to be notified of their rising premiums on October 27.

"Each state has a target date when the health insurance industry is going to announce the new premiums for the new calendar year, which starts in just a few weeks. Our date in Illinois is October 27. Twelve days from today, those who are part of the Affordable Care Act will find out what happens to their premiums. If history is any indicator, it shows that my Republican colleagues have no plan. They didn't have one in Trump's first term. They certainly don't have one now," Durbin said. "So it's a bit over the top for the Republicans to ask Democrats and the American people to wait and trust them to fix this issue, to let the premiums go up and then maybe they'll get around to changing the law."

"We believe that 20 million American families will see the cost of health insurance go up because of the Trump budget and reach a point where it's not affordable for many families to have health insurance," Durbin continued. "What about your family? If you're a person who has health insurance, children, perhaps someone in your family with a serious illness, you understand the value of health insurance and you understand your vulnerability. One broken bone, one automobile accident, one bad diagnosis, and you're going to end up with a bill you cannot pay. It'll exhaust your savings. That's the reality of the cost of health insurance."

Durbin then pointed to statistics about the rising cost of health care, underscoring that if the ACA tax credits are not extended, premiums for millions of Americans will more than double. Additionally, if Republicans allow the tax credits to lapse, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage altogether.

In Illinois, more than 400,000 people rely on ACA tax credits. In Illinois, a family of four earning $64,000 a year would see their health care premium skyrocket to $2,571 a month, a 226 percent increase. If Republicans fail to act, Illinois could lose up to nine hospitals in downstate Illinois because of the Republicans' $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid in the Big Beautiful Bill Act and increases in health care premiums.

"In Illinois, a 60-year-old couple with an income of $82,000 could see their annual premiums increase $17,000 a year if the enhanced premium tax credits are not extended. That's an increase of $1,400 a month. Ask any working family whether paying $1,400 will have an impact on the family budget. You know the answer. Now compare that additional cost to the tax cuts that some billionaires will enjoy because of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill Act that was passed by Republicans. Billionaires will receive a tax cut of more than $310,000 a year," Durbin said.

Durbin shared the story of Illinoisan, Jennifer, who will struggle to pay for health care coverage as a small business owner if the tax credits are not extended.

"Take Jennifer. She's a mother and a small business owner from Illinois who told me that her costs have skyrocketed under this President. She told me her food costs are up and 'utilities are up, gas is... expensive, [and] the costs of supplies for my business have tripled.' Now, Jennifer's concerned that her ACA premiums will double next year unless we do something," Durbin said.

Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on his Republican colleagues to negotiate with Democrats today, rather than allow ACA tax credits to lapse and prolong a government shutdown.

"I heard him [Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)] come to the floor over and over again, saying pass this clean continuing resolution, open the government and we are going to sit down and talk to you about health insurance. Why can't we do it now? Why can't we do it this morning? There are enough tables in this building for people to gather," Durbin said. "There are many Republicans who will wait for a signal from the President before they agree to anything. He should be at the table."

"That is what this government shutdown is all about. We want to sit down and deal with health care costs now," Durbin concluded his remarks.