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On Affordable Care Act Anniversary, Illinois Democrats Slam Republicans for Unleashing A Health Care Crisis in Illinois

DPI Chair Hernandez: “We are all-in to ensure the ILGOP is held accountable at the ballot box for making health care unaffordable.”

Springfield, IL— Today marks the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which helped 465,985 Illinoisans afford health care last year. However, because of Donald Trump and Illinois Republicans’ refusal to extend the lifesaving ACA enhanced tax credits, premiums have skyrocketed by 114%, and Illinois families will pay 78% more, on average, for their health care. 

While Illinois Congressional Republicans refuse to extend these credits, Democrats are fighting to extend them and ensure families are not priced out of their health care. A majority of Americans support extending these credits and believe Congress made the wrong decision by allowing them to expire. 

This comes on top of Trump and Republicans slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid, putting 9 Illinois rural hospitals at risk of closure and threatening coverage for 520,000 Illinoisans.

In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement:

“Donald Trump and Illinois Republicans have unleashed a health care crisis in Illinois. While Republicans are focused on Trump’s gilded ballroom and Great Gatsby parties, Illinois Democrats are fighting to lower health care costs for hardworking Illinoisans. Voters across Illinois are furious with this Republican health care crisis, which is why from now until November, Illinois Democrats are all-in to ensure Mary Miller, Mike Bost, and Darin LaHood are held accountable at the ballot box for making health care and other necessities unaffordable for Illinois families.”

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