REP. ADAM GRAY, CHAIRMAN AGUILAR, AND RANKING MEMBER PALLONE LEAD HOUSE DEMS IN CALL TO RESTORE MEDICAID FUNDING AND EXTEND PREMIUM TAX CREDITS AS PATIENTS FACE SPIKING HEALTH[...]

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Adam Gray (CA-13), joined by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33) and Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-06), led a group of House Democrats today in calling on Congress to pass Rep. Gray's bill, the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025, to restore Medicaid funding and permanently extend the Affordable Care Act's premium tax credits.

The Members were joined by physicians, Medicaid recipients, business owners and advocates who shared how they have been impacted by cuts to Medicaid and the threat of premium price spikes.

"Nearly 71 million Americans who rely on Medicaid for their health coverage are now facing cuts to their care and higher monthly premiums," said Rep. Gray. "Employers are already warning they'll have to raise the cost of health benefits next year. We must act now to protect American families from these price hikes."

"These cuts mean longer waits in the emergency room, higher out-of-pocket costs, and longer drives just to see a doctor. In rural communities like mine - where more than half of my constituents depend on Medicaid - families will face clinic and hospital closures, rising premiums, and the painful choice of going without care," Rep. Gray continued. "I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this legislation and showing the American people we're serious about lowering their health care costs and protecting their coverage."

"Donald Trump and Republicans' Big Ugly Law cuts health care for millions of Americans in order to give tax cuts to billionaires. Americans know this legislation is making our country, economy and society weaker. That's why Congress needs to come together on legislation like Rep. Adam Gray's Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act. This bill would reverse the cuts to Medicaid in the Big Ugly Law and permanently extend the ACA premium tax credits that have been a lifeline for so many families across the country. Democrats are laser-focused on making life easier and more affordable for hardworking families so they can succeed-not just get by," said House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33).

"Congressman Gray's bill is a lifeline," said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Mamber Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06). "It permanently extends the enhanced tax credits that lower monthly health insurance premiums for millions of American families and reverses the catastrophic health care cuts Republicans passed in President Trump's Big Ugly Bill. If it were passed today, it would prevent 15 million people from losing their health care coverage and would lower costs for millions more. I'm grateful to Congressman Gray for his leadership to protect health care, invest in the middle class, and lower costs for hardworking Americans and I look forward to continuing to work together to advance this important bill."

Additional Members of Congress who spoke in favor of the bill included Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Steven Horsford (NV-04), John Mannion (NY-22), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05).

The members were joined by Philippa Pham Hughes, a writer who has already received notice of a premium price spike for 2026, Fari Ghamina Tumpe, a grandmother raising several children on Medicaid, Jeneva and Rob Stone, mother and son health care and disability rights advocates, Dr. Ealena Callender, an OB-GYN, Andrea Deutsch, small business owner and mayor of Narberth, PA, and Dr. Leighton Ku, professor and Director of Health Policy Research at George Washington University.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 has 60 cosponsors and is endorsed by the House Blue Dog Coalition. The bill is a companion to the Senate version led by Leader Chuck Schumer and cosponsored by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.

Watch the Members' remarks here.

Photos of the press conference are available here.

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