U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Calls Out Health Care Crisis and Impending Enrollment Deadline

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) joined the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to call out Republicans' refusal to take action on the cost of the health care crisis.

"Thanks to the Republican health care crisis, instead of discussing holiday plans or Christmas wish lists, families will be around the kitchen table deciding what they'll have to sacrifice to keep their health insurance," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. "Facing sticker shock from skyrocketing premiums in addition to broken promises of lower energy, gas, and grocery prices, Trump and Republicans in Congress are once again failing to prioritize the needs of working-class Americans.

Americans are less than two weeks out from the deadline to enroll in Affordable Care Act health care plans without a lapse in coverage - but Congressional Republicans are still refusing to extend the ACA tax credits which help millions afford health care. Without an extension, health care costs will skyrocket for 22 million Americans- including 90,000 Minnesotans.

Representative Morrison, who cared for patients as an OB-GYN for more than 20 years, has been fighting to extend ACA tax credits and address health care affordability since before Congressional Republicans refused to extend them and worsened the health care crisis with their so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" that passed this summer. Representative Morrison has highlighted this health care crisis by:

• Standingwith small business owners who will lose coverage if these ACA tax credits are not extended
• Spotlightingthe impact to hospitals and clinics when Americans are forced to delay care
• Supportingmultiple bills that would permanently extend the tax credits and protect health care for millions of Americans

Watch Representative Morrison's remarks HERE.

Read a transcript of Representative Morrison's remarks below:

We are less than two weeks from the deadline to enroll in ACA plans without a lapse in coverage.

Thanks to the Republican-created health care crisis, instead of discussing holiday plans or Christmas wish lists, most families will be around kitchen tables deciding what they'll have to sacrifice to keep their health insurance.

Facing sticker shock from skyrocketing premiums in addition to broken promises of lower energy, gas, and grocery prices, Trump and Republicans in Congress are once again failing to prioritize the needs of working-class Americans.

For months they've deployed a variety of excuses.

First, they tried denying the premium spikes, then they misdirected to scapegoat immigrants, then they turned to their old and tired call to repeal and replace the ACA, which as usual came with hollow promises of some secret plan.

They insisted they just needed the government to open and now that it's open it seems they are circling back to "concepts of a plan" and denial.

Whether or not the excuse of the week allows them to acknowledge the crisis, Republicans in Congress have made it abundantly clear that they are not willing to help Americans afford health care or do anything to help lower the cost of living.

For 20 years practicing as an OB-GYN myself, it was my responsibility to help my patients with preventative care, to problem solve, to diagnose, and to formulate a treatment plan with them.

Can you imagine if your doctor kept making up excuses for why they couldn't treat you or worse just fully denied your experience and refused to offer you anything?

That's exactly how Trump and the Republican majority have responded to the American people's repeated pleas to act on affordability.

I know that the people of Minnesota's third district - my district - and Americans across the country are counting on action and deserve real solutions.

Unfortunately, we're here today to discuss the devastating impact of what Trump and Congressional Republicans' denial and inaction means for American families.

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