Linda Sánchez Statement on Trump Executive Order to Sabotage Health Care for Millions of Americans

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement on President Trump's executive order which would further sabotage health insurance marketplaces across the country:

"Today's executive order is another shameful attempt by the Trump administration to sidestep the will of the American people, who have rejected Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Instead of pursuing bipartisan commonsense solutions to strengthen the individual market, the Trump administration remains singularly focused on undermining the landmark legislation that has provided 20 million Americans with health insurance.

"The Trump administration's ACA sabotage efforts include slashing the outreach budget, cutting the open enrollment period in half, scheduling maintenance on healthcare.gov during key periods during open enrollment, failing to commit to continue funding the cost-sharing reduction payments, and now, encouraging the proliferation of stripped-down plans, which could further destabilize the market and jeopardize access to life-saving care for working families. By making cheaper, skimpier, poorly regulated plans that do not need to meet basic consumer protections and benefit rules more widely available, the executive order would leave older, less healthy Americans with higher costs, undermining their access to affordable coverage. This executive order is a dangerous step in the wrong direction and seniors and working families will pay the price."