Collins Again Votes Against Saving Health Care for Mainers As Government Shuts Down

Augusta, Maine - For the second time, Susan Collins voted against a bill that would have saved health care for 50,000 Mainers who are at risk of seeing their insurance premiums skyrocket when enhanced premium ACA tax credits expire and 61,000 Mainers who will lose their health care coverage due to GOP health care cuts. Collins' vote pushed the country closer to the current government shutdown.

Maine state officials warned action on the expiring tax credits had to be taken before September 30th, and "that extending the enhanced premium tax credit is the single most effective step Congress can take to lower health care costs for Mainers." As Maine insurance rates are already set to increase, leaders have highlighted "one of the reasons [for rate increases] stated by every insurance company is the expiration of these enhanced premium tax credits." Collins "has yet to sponsor" any legislative move to extend the tax credits.

Maine Democratic Party spokesperson Tommy Garcia:
"Susan Collins and Washington Republicans are driving up costs on everything from groceries to electricity bills and already put 61,000 Mainers on track to lose insurance thanks to the health care cuts Collins greenlit - now, Collins would rather shut down the government than lift a finger to fix the crises she helped create. When Mainers receive notice that their health care premiums are skyrocketing, they will know they have Susan Collins to blame."

Collins voted against:

• Reversing the devastating Medicaid cuts she greenlit that will force 61,000 Mainers to lose their health care coverage and number of rural Maine hospitals to shut down.

• Extending ACA enhanced premium tax credits that are set to expire - which has already driven up premium rates in Maine, will increase typical monthly premiums from "about $260 to $440," putting 50,000 Mainers at risk of not being able to afford their care.

• Unfreezing Trump's freeze on federal grants, many of which have directly impacted Maine.

• Reign in Trump and the OMB's ability and efforts to unilaterally rescind already appropriated funds.

See more: What Mainers are Watching and Reading: Thanks to Collins, Mainers "Could See Their Premiums Skyrocket"; BREAKING: Collins Votes Against Saving Health Care for Mainers, Moves Government Closer to a Shutdown; Collins Call Out: Collins is "Not Part" of ACA Tax Credit Extension Work, Despite Leading the "Most Powerful Committee"; NEW: "Susan Collins Accepts Thousands from Insurers While Health Costs Soar for Mainers"

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