DelBene, Leader Jeffries, Gov. Ferguson, Schrier Sound Alarm on Republican Care Assault

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) held a press event to call out President Trump and Congressional Republican's assault on our health care system that is raising prices, kicking people off their health coverage, and making families sicker.

The leaders emphasized the urgent need to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies, which lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans, including 218,000 in Washington. These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, and Republicans have voted multiple times against extending them.

This week, Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer released final 2026 health insurance rates for the individual exchange, showing a 21% increase from 2025. The rate increases, combined with the expiring subsidies, are estimated to increase premiums by 65% next year for people who received subsidized coverage through WA Health Plan Finder. 80,000 Washingtonians are expected to lose coverage if the subsidies expire.

The event also featured health care providers and Washingtonians who have benefited from the ACA subsidies, underscoring the real-life impact of these policies on families' ability to access care.

"One of the biggest concerns I hear from Washington families is how fast health care costs are rising. Since taking office, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have done nothing but break their promise to lower the high cost of living. Their megabill and other policies are an assault on the health care system that is driving health care costs higher and kicking people off their coverage," said DelBene. "Congress must act immediately to prevent millions of families across the country from losing their Exchange coverage by extending the subsidies. We have to prioritize policies that help address the needs of working families, not the wealthy and well-connected."

"I'm grateful to be in the great state of Washington today alongside my colleagues Rep. Suzan DelBene and Dr. Rep. Kim Schrier, Governor Bob Ferguson, Commissioner Patty Kuderer and medical professionals to stand up against the all-out Republican assault on health care," said Jeffries. "Donald Trump and House Republicans have created a health care crisis in the United States of America. They have imposed the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from tens of millions of Americans, forcing the possible closure of hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics while millions will face dramatic increases in their health care premiums, co-pays and deductibles. No matter what it takes, House Democrats are committed to making sure we bring the right to high-quality health care to life and aggressively push back against this unprecedented Republican assault on the health and well-being of the American people."

"The cruel attacks on health care access by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans are morally bankrupt," Ferguson said. "Failing to extend these common-sense tax credits is one more way the federal government is making health care less affordable and less accessible to residents across our state. Congress must act now to extend these credits and protect health care access for tens of thousands of Washingtonians."

"It is morally bankrupt that Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are giving tax breaks to billionaires while ripping away health insurance from working families across my district. At a time when so many are already struggling, their Big Ugly Bill is about to skyrocket health insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. I will continue to fight, along with my Democratic colleagues, to reverse these reckless policies," said Schrier.

"Affordable health care is a cornerstone of community well-being," said Jon Duarte, President and CEO of Overlake Medical Center & Clinics. "Yet rising costs compounded by escalating payment shortfalls and federal funding cuts threaten access to that care. Both Overlake and MultiCare are committed to meeting the health needs of our communities - now and in the years to come. To fulfill that commitment, we must protect the programs that make care accessible and sustainable."

You can watch the video of the event here.