October 13, 2017

New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Trump Administration Ending Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments

The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement after the White House Press Secretary issued a statement indicating that the Trump Administration will end cost-sharing reduction payments. The "cost-sharing reduction payments" are intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for low-income Americans.

“President Trump’s decision to end the payments that are vital to the functioning of the ACA marketplaces is a malicious act of destruction. It takes every virtue to which we should be aspiring – kindness, generosity of spirit, compassion – and throws them out the window. In order to further his vendetta against former President Obama, Trump is willing to attack our seniors, the poor, the sick and families struggling to make ends meet.

“President Trump should reverse this decision. If he does not, Congress should act immediately to enshrine these payments into law. The agreement being negotiated by Senators Alexander and Murray would be a good place to start to plug the hole and ensure people don’t start to die because of the administration’s actions. Silence or inaction in the face of this direct assault on the American people and their wellbeing will be judged unforgivingly by future generations.”

Earlier this year the New Democrat Coalition, along with other House Democrats, put forward a proposal to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The New Dem-led set of proposals to stabilize the market and make health care more affordable for American families:

  • Guaranteed cost-sharing payments to reduce out-of-pocket costs
  • Dedicated reinsurance funds to keep premium costs down
  • Increased insurance coverage through outreach and enforcement
  • Additional flexibility to create more affordable insurance options while protecting consumers
  • Marketplace improvements and technical changes

In recent months, bipartisan support had grown on the need to improve the ACA individual marketplaces to provide certainty and limit premium increases. Now, more than ever, the Senate HELP Committee must take on a bipartisan approach that paves the way to address long-term stability and predictability to the individual market.

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