Rep. DeLauro Tells Trump to ‘Stop Playing Games’ With Health Coverage

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration's decision to make cost sharing payments under the Affordable Care Act in August despite his repeated threats to end the payments and increase premiums for millions of Americans:

"While the Trump administration has agreed to make the cost sharing reduction payments for August, it is deeply troubling that they will not commit to making these critical payments each month.

"These payments are not 'bailouts' as the President has often called them--rather, they help people with modest means reduce their out-of-pocket healthcare costs."

"President Trump is using people as a political bargaining chip by leaving these payments in limbo, and it has to stop. Health insurance for millions of Americans should not be threatened as a pretext to ram through an ideological agenda or make good on an untenable campaign promise.

"People across the country depend on the Affordable Care Act for life-saving health coverage."

"The last thing they should have to worry about is whether the President will raise their premiums or cause their insurer to pull out of where they live.

"Once again, I urge the President and Congressional Republicans stop playing games and come to the table to work with Democrats on strengthening and improving healthcare for all Americans."