Up to 190,000 Coloradans will lose health insurance and several rural hospitals will be at risk of shutting down
As the federal government shuts down today, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib condemned President Donald Trump and Colorado Republicans in Congress for forcing this crisis, risking higher health care costs, threatening hospitals, and disrupting the economy.
“Donald Trump and Colorado Republicans in Congress chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect health care for Colorado families,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “They own the consequences: skyrocketing premiums, rural hospitals at risk, and economic disruption Colorado can’t afford. Democrats remain united: cancel the cuts, lower costs, and save health care.”
Colorado Democrats commend our entire Democratic Congressional Delegation: Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen. Democrats have stood strong to defend affordable health care for Coloradans and stop Trump’s shutdown.
Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper offered statements regarding their votes to protect the interests of working class Coloradans:
“Democrats have offered a commonsense budget proposal that keeps the government open and protects vital Affordable Care Act tax credits. If Congress allows the Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, rural families could see insurance costs skyrocket by over 400%,” said Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. “At a time when people already struggle to pay rent and put food on the table, Republicans are putting families and small business owners across our state at risk of losing access to health care. It’s past time for Republicans to come to the table and have a real negotiation with Democrats.”
“Republicans’ `Big Bad Betrayal Act’ could force nearly 35 million people to either lose health care coverage or raise the cost of their insurance premiums by an average of $1,000/month. It will force rural hospitals to close while Trump’s reckless tariffs are making life more expensive for everyone,” said Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. “We need to protect Coloradans’ health care, keep the government open, and lower prices. This is the Republicans’ shutdown.”
Health care costs for millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of Coloradans, are now set to jump by an average of 75% starting in January because Republicans failed to extend ACA premium tax credits. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, up to 190,000 Coloradans could lose their insurance, putting several rural hospitals at risk of closing.
