WHITEHOUSE, SLOTKIN, SCHAKOWSKY INTRODUCE PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

The following information was released by Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse:

Legislation would provide 27 million Americans with a high-quality, affordable public option by cutting out insurance middlemen

Washington, DC As the Republican attack on our health care system continues, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Affordable Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement (CHOICE) Act to add a publicly operated health insurance option to the Affordable Care Act's individual marketplaces. The measure would drive competition and guarantee American consumers access to an affordable, high-quality plan in every insurance market in the country.

"Democrats remain united in our fight to make high-quality, affordable health care available to families across America,"said Whitehouse, who co-authored public option legislation during the drafting of the Affordable Care Act. "Republicans have a longstanding obsession with taking health care from their constituents. Republicans' concern that the tax credits are lining the pockets of big insurance companies should be easily assuaged by a public option a health plan administered by the government that would get more people covered and lower insurance costs across the marketplace."

"Our health care system is fundamentally broken, it's not working,"said Slotkin. "We need deep changes to make sure everyone has access to health care coverage they can afford. That's why we need a public insurance option, similar to Medicare, that provides affordable coverage to those who need it. The Affordable CHOICE Act will do just that, while supporting competition to drive down costs for everyone."

"I am committed to ensuring that every person in the United States has access to quality, affordable health care,"said Schakowsky. "At a time when families are being squeezed by rising premiums and high health care costs, Congress must act. This legislation is a practical, proven way to drive down premiums, increase competition, and expand access to coverage for millions of Americans and small businesses. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and it is long past time we give people a real, affordable choice.

About 95.5 percent of Rhode Islanders currently have health insurance. Prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, 12 percent of Ocean State residents were not covered.

Republicans are waging an all-out attack on health care.

In July, President Trump and Congressional Republicans jammed through their Big, Beautiful-for-Billionaires bill, whichslashes almost a trillion dollars from Medicaid, triggered a half-trillion dollar cut to Medicare, and raises health insurance costs, all to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Without bipartisan action to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, health insurance premiums are set tomore than doubleon average next year.

Now,President Trumpand Republican lawmakersarevoicinga newfound opposition to lining the pockets of large insurers.Yet, they have released no alternative bill, even as health care premiums aremore than doublingfor many American families. Supporting the Affordable CHOICE Act would do just thatby cutting out the insurance middlemen and proving Americans with a direct health insurance option, we can achieve greater health care access and increase competition.

The Republicans' attack on health insurance comes as more than 27 million Americans are uninsured. A public option would tackle the uninsured rate by stimulating competition and driving down prices with a stable coverage choice.

The Affordable CHOICE Act would create a public health insurance option subject to the same requirements that apply to other plans offered on Affordable Care Act exchanges. It would offer the same tax credits available to individual marketplace consumers as well as essential, comprehensive benefits.

The full text of the bill is availablehere.

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Meaghan McCabe, (202) 224-2921