Rep. Pallone Issues Statement on Risk Adjustment Payments to Insurance Companies

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the announcement that the Trump administration would stop making risk adjustment payments to insurance companies:

"By refusing to make risk adjustment payments, the Trump Administration is breaking the law. Moreover, the Administration's claim that its hands are tied by the district court's decision is nothing more than smoke and mirrors designed to distract the American people from the direct consequences of their own actions.

"This is a malicious and intentional attack on our health care system and on Americans' access to health insurance, plain and simple.

"This action, hastily announced over a holiday weekend, not only demonstrates the Trump Administration's blatant disregard for the law, but its fixation on sabotaging our nation's health care system.

"This latest sabotage will only create more uncertainty, leading to higher health care premiums for millions of Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet."