Three Weeks into GOP Shutdown, Rep. Chu Slams Republicans for Causing a Nationwide Health Care Crisis and Ignoring Families in Need
PASADENA, CA – Three weeks into the Republican-led government shutdown, and more than one month since the House of Representatives last took a vote, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement urging Republicans to return to Washington, reopen the government, and take immediate action to lower health care costs for millions of Americans:
“The consequences of this Republican-made health care crisis are growing more severe with each passing day. Across the nation, families are seeing their premiums skyrocket out of control while community health centers and hospitals fight to keep their doors open, and House Republicans are nowhere to be found. It’s time for Republicans to return to Washington, end this reckless shutdown, and work with Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that millions—including tens of thousands in the San Gabriel Valley—depend on to afford care.” said Rep. Chu.
After choosing to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to lower health care costs, 24 million Americans are now seeing their premiums skyrocket, in some cases more than tripling, leaving families bracing for devastating cost increases or the loss of their coverage altogether. These premium hikes are hitting working Americans the hardest, as half of all adults on the ACA Marketplace—about 10 million people—are small business owners, self-employed workers, or employees of small businesses. And this comes just months after Trump and Republicans passed a Big Ugly Law that kicks 15 million Americans off their insurance, guts Medicaid, and weakens the Affordable Care Act to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires.
On October 17th, Rep. Chu visited Herald Christian Health Center in Rosemead to highlight how these cuts are threatening affordable health care for working families. There, she met with Mr. Lau, a patient advocate who shared how expanded Medicaid coverage helped him detect and treat his lung cancer early. Mr. Lau shared that he only survived because he could see a doctor, get screened, and begin treatment early—care that was covered thanks to expanded Medicaid. Without it, he likely would have waited until it was too late.
On October 18th, Rep. Chu joined four “No Kings” rallies in Rancho Cucamonga, Sierra Madre, Pasadena, and Claremont, where she heard directly from constituents facing skyrocketing premiums. One constituent, Carolyn from Claremont, shared that she was self-employed and was diagnosed with cancer last year. She had nine months of treatment and already had to buy a more expensive plan just to afford care. Now, with Republicans’ ACA premium hikes, it’s going to be incredibly painful for her.
Rep. Chu also heard fromJenny in Altadena, a single mother and small-business owner who lost her home in the Eaton Fire and just learned her premiums will more than double from $350 to over $800 for the same coverage. She fears she will have to give up her insurance, even as she works to rebuild her home and her life.
On September 26th, Rep. Chu visited Wesley Health Center in Pasadena to hear directly from patients and providers about how Trump’s health care cuts are impacting their care and community. She met with Christopher, a patient who required major surgery that he was only able to afford because of Medicaid.
“Every day, thousands of people in my district are opening their mail, seeing their premiums double, and wondering if they’ll still be able to afford to see their doctor,” said Rep. Chu. “Meanwhile, Republicans refuse to come back from their month-long vacation, and President Trump is focused on tearing down the East Wing of the White House to build himself a $250 million ballroom. Enough is enough. Democrats are ready to reopen the government and bring down costs, and it’s time for Republicans to stop the excuses, end this crisis, and protect the people they serve.”