NEWS: Coloradans Receive Notice of Sky-High Premiums

White House, congressional Republicans refuse to protect Americans' health care, end government shutdown

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement as Coloradans begin receiving notices of steep health care premium increases

"Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans woke up today with emails saying they'll be forced to pay DOUBLE for their health insurance.

"It doesn't have to be this way. If Trump and House Republicans ended their month-long paid vacation and negotiated with us, we could prevent this."

This week, the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) announced that premiums for nearly 225,000 Coloradans would at least double next year unless Republicans work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits.Despite Republicans' control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, they have refused to negotiate with Democrats to fund the government and address the health care crisis they created.In July, Congressional Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for huge tax cuts for the richest Americans and largest corporations. An estimated 15 million Americans - and 241,000 Coloradans - will lose their health care because of Republicans' funding cuts. Many Coloradans have already received notice of their new health care premiums for 2026:

Barbara from Cortez is seeing a $922 increase in her monthly premium. In total, she and her husband will pay $39,000 a year to stay on the same plan in 2026.

Eric from Colorado Springs will pay $1,899 a month for health care in 2026 - a 26% increase from his 2025 premium.

Robert from Pagosa Springs will pay $2,550 a month in 2026 for health care - a more than $1,800 increase in his monthly costs. In total, he will pay over$30,000 for health care in 2026.

On Tuesday, Hickenlooper rebuked the Trump administration's choice to send $40 billion to a far-right regime in Argentina and undercut American farmers and producers instead of working with Democrats to address the health care crisis and reopen the government. Earlier this month, he gave a speech on the Senate floor condemning the health crisis Republicans caused when they passed their budget bill.

Hickenlooper recently hosted a virtual conversation with five Coloradans to highlight how the Republicans' budget bill will jeopardize Coloradans' health care coverage and lead to skyrocketing costs.

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