Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene held a discussion with Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and constituents to talk about the impacts of the Republican sabotage of our nation’s health care system. Topics included the actions taken by the administration to that have increased premiums, the threats to people living with pre-existing conditions, the uncertainty in individual markets caused by the Trump administration, and the need to find solutions to rising costs.

“From House Republicans’ shortsighted and politically motivated votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no replacement to now outright sabotage through the elimination of the individual mandate in the GOP tax law, everything they have done on health care has gone on to increase costs and create chaos and uncertainty for working families. Washington state is facing a proposed rate increase of 19 percent on average next year, and it’s putting people’s health care in jeopardy.”

She added, “Now, the Justice Department announced they won’t defend the Affordable Care Act in a court case that could overturn critical consumer protections, including prohibiting insurers from charging women and sick people more money, and outright denying people coverage of their preexisting conditions. Going back to the dark days of preexisting conditions is unacceptable and I will fight every day in Congress to keep the progress we have made under the ACA,” said DelBene.

“I want to thank Congresswoman DelBene for hosting this roundtable to address this serious concern facing hardworking families here in Washington state. It is unfortunate that, instead of improving on the law, the Trump administration would rather continue to undermine our country’s health care system. It is clear that their actions are fueling uncertainty in individual markets around the country, leading to higher costs and threatening the health care of millions of Americans. Fortunately, we have members like Rep. DelBene who are raising these issues and are committed to working with us on sensible solutions that improve affordability and consumer choice,” said Commissioner Kreidler.

In addition to Commissioner Kreidler, DelBene was joined by:

• Peter Myles McGough, M.D, Medical Director for UW Neighborhood Clinics
• Chris Griffiths, ACA consumer with a pre-existing condition
• Adana Protonentis, mother of son with regressive autism and other pre-existing conditions
• Erica Duke, young professional struggling to pay for health insurance
• Claire Symons, young woman with pre-existing conditions and struggling to afford insurance

You can view the full roundtable here. DelBene is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care. She has been a strong opponent of Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and has consistently fought against attempts to weaken coverage and protections, including preexisting conditions and community rating.

###