Issued October 25, 2016
Washington, DC – SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement in response to an increase in premium rates from insurance companies for some plans offered through healthcare.gov:
“The fact that insurance companies are increasing healthcare premiums is not news to working people, but it is a warning bell for the next Congress. For six years and more than 60 repeal votes, opponents of the healthcare law have refused to share a serious, comprehensive plan to strengthen and improve it. Today, we are seeing a direct result of their inaction.
“As Americans are getting ready to choose a healthcare plan starting November 1, they should know that higher tax credits will be available for plans with the greatest increases. In fact, more than 8 in 10 people shopping on healthcare.gov last year received tax credits to help pay for their insurance and this year 75 percent of people will still be able to find a plan for less than $75 a month.
“The law is here to stay, but as the nation’s largest union of healthcare workers, we know it must be strengthened. Americans are beyond frustrated by a Congress that has put politics before their health and by healthcare headlines that are their daily reality, whether it’s drug company CEOs making millions from life-saving cancer drugs, or the lack of transparency when it comes to what a doctor visit or procedure actually costs.
“The nurses, doctors and healthcare workers of SEIU know that Hillary Clinton will be a president who will come to the table with new ideas and new solutions to lower healthcare costs, and improve a law that is covering more Americans than ever before in our history. Every member of Congress should be prepared to do the same.”