(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement applauding the vote today by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of extending Affordable Care Act tax credits:

"The cost of healthcare is too high and we need action on a federal level to bring these costs down nationwide. Today's vote by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House is to be applauded and now we need the Senate to take up and pass this bipartisan bill without delay. Failure to enact this bill into law will result in healthcare costs skyrocketing for millions of Americans. Here in Connecticut, we've taken action on the state level to help bring some of the costs down for people who receive coverage through Access Health CT, but it's not a long-term solution and we need the Senate to act. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore. I commend all the members of Connecticut's delegation for voting in support of this bill."