Raja Speaks Out Against Trump Administration's Threatening to Make Health Insurance Unaffordable for 7 Million

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, lead Democrat on the Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules, released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's threatening to imperil health care affordability for 7 million Americans through eliminating crucial subsidies:

“President Trump is using the ability of millions of Americans to afford health insurance as a bargaining chip. As part of his attempt to force the Republican health care bill through Congress, the President is threatening to eliminate key subsidies allowing 7 million Americans to afford their health insurance. Slashing these subsidies would lead to a 19 percent surge in premiums and force taxpayers to spend billions more to cover the cost.

The Administration knows eliminating these subsidies would be a health care disaster for our country. If the President goes through with this plan, he’ll be responsible for millions of Americans losing their health insurance.

Our health care system faces serious challenges and making insurance more expensive for millions of Americans will only make those challenges more daunting. Instead, we need to pursue real strategies for reducing costs and improving health care such as reducing the cost of prescription drugs, establishing a public option, and allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare early.”

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th District of Illinois, which includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs. He serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In addition, Raja serves as the ranking member, and top Democrat, on the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules. Krishnamoorthi served as an Illinois Special Assistant Attorney General in the public corruption unit and as Illinois Deputy Treasurer before becoming president of small businesses in the Chicago area focused on the national security and renewable energy sectors. He and his wife, Priya, a physician, live in Schaumburg with their two sons and baby daughter.