Sens. Murray, Wyden Issue Statement on Proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Marketplace Rule

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., ranking Democratic member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement following the release of a proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule related to the individual and small group health insurance markets:

"It is outrageous that President Trump and Republicans have taken action to raise premiums and to make it harder for families that need care to get enrolled and stay enrolled," said Murray. "Through these and other troubling actions, President Trump and Republicans are creating Trumpcare by sabotage--and they are going to have to answer to every family who loses coverage, faces more uncertainty, or has to pay more in health care costs as a result."

"Today's rule sends a clear message to the American people: patients are not a priority and insurance companies are back in charge. It restricts access by cutting the sign up period in half and increasing premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for consumers using the ridiculous excuse that they are supporting the marketplace Republicans want to destroy," Wyden said. "To say these actions improve the market ignore clear evidence that Republicans' repeal and run scheme is causing massive uncertainty and disruption."

The proposed rule can be found here (https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-03027.pdf).

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