Kaptur: GOP Legislation Enriches Senators, sets Millions of Americans Adrift With Looming Health Care CrisisPress ReleaseJobs and the EconomyHealth Care

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) voted against the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 - Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Upon her vote, Congresswoman Kaptur released the following statement decrying the corruption in the bill that would enrich Senators believed linked to the January 6 Insurrection plot, while failing to address the imminent health care crisis that will cause insurance rates to increase by 114% nationwide. Kaptur noted that for some Americans, health insurance rates are doubling and tripling.

"Today I voted to protect the health care of tens of thousands across Northwest Ohio, 500,000 Ohioans, and 15 million or more nationwide who are at risk of losing their health insurance. Not only will millions lose coverage, almost all Americans nationwide will see their insurance rates go up next year in dramatic fashion. I want to share some examples of these dangerous health care cost increases that could lead to tens of thousands of needless deaths in the decade to come.

"A constituent from Clyde, Ohio said 'I know that the food stamp shutdown is hurting Americans right now, but the high insurance prices will allow people to die by making health care unaffordable. It was terrible before the ACA. We will band together and feed our neighbors, but we aren't doctors. We need affordable health care.'

"Another citizen from Edon in Williams County shared how their medications have become so costly that they now have to seek out patient assistance programs. Their prescription insurance has increased by $119 a month, which is unmanageable on a fixed income.

"Access to affordable quality health care is a human right but my Republican colleagues have made it their singular mission this year to destroy health care access.

"A Toledo resident told me their family cannot afford another 'crushing expense.' They said: 'Groceries cost more than twice what they did a few years ago. Childcare and rent are higher than ever. And now, unless Congress acts, health insurance premiums could DOUBLE. For a family like mine, that means an extra $100 per person, per month. Money we simply do not have. Please extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits and protect working families. We need relief, not higher costs.'

"As I said on the House floor this evening, Congress should be acting to bring relief to these working families. Instead, what is the GOP majority in the Senate and House doing? Well, in the dead of night, eight Senate Republicans slipped into this bill a Payola for themselves - literally raking millions of dollars to themselves. This payola is called corruption.

"Millions of taxpayer dollars are slated for Senators Graham, Haggerty, Hawley, Sullivan, Tuberville, Johnson, Loomis, and Blackburn. Each is teed up to rake in a minimum of $500,000 or more related to their involvement in the January 6 insurrection. The American people want more affordable health insurance but these Senators and their House allies are lining their own pockets.

"I say, no more tax breaks to Billionaires and Millionaires. No Payola for US Senators. Working families are scraping the bottom of the barrel to buy groceries, and these senators are scraping the till.

"This is what happens when power serves itself instead of The People. This isn't leadership - it's corruption disguised as legislation! Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Let's rid ourselves of this disgusting corruption."

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