WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement in response to reports that health insurers in Maryland are seeking significant premium increases on the individual market in 2019:
“The proposed rate increases for 2019 would have severe consequences for families throughout our state and force thousands of consumers to pay more for coverage. It’s been just over a year since House Republicans sought to take away health care from millions of Americans by repealing the Affordable Care Act. Instead of working with Democrats to strengthen the law after their effort ultimately failed, the Trump Administration and Republicans have spent the last year sabotaging it, destabilizing the insurance marketplaces and undermining enrollment efforts. These rate increases are a direct consequence of those actions and will result in undue harm to working families in Maryland.
“Ensuring Marylanders have access to quality, affordable health care must be a top priority. The Affordable Care Act expanded coverage to over 20 million more Americans, including more than 400,000 Marylanders, and brought down the cost of quality health care for families across the country. Congress ought to work together to make the Affordable Care Act work better and to bring down costs, not make it harder for families to access quality care. I will continue to urge my colleagues to strengthen the law and will oppose any efforts to drive up costs for Maryland families.”