CONGRESSMAN VICENTE GONZALEZ CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO RESTORE MEDICAID FUNDING AND EXTEND PREMIUM TAX CREDITS CUT UNDER THE BIG, UGLY BILL

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) joined over 60 of his democratic colleagues in cosponsoring H.R. 4849, Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act. This bill would reverse the drastic health care cuts Republicans passed in the “Big, Ugly Bill” and permanently extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. Without congressional action to extend these tax credits, South Texans who obtain health care through the ACA will be forced to pay almost 200% more in insurance costs.

The Republican budget law will strip health care from almost 15 million American, including more than 1.4 million Texans and 40,000 people in TX-34 who currently rely on Medicaid (known as STAR+PLUS in Texas) or the ACA over the next 10 years. These cuts will also lead to closures of rural hospitals and health centers across South Texas leaving South Texans and Americans, sicker and poorer.  

“We cannot stand idly by while poorly conceived legislation strips health care and raises costs for our most vulnerable. I am committed to working across the aisle to ensure our seniors, veterans and families have access to affordable high quality health care,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Republicans have an opportunity to reverse the cuts they promised they would not touch. Its time do right by the American people.” 

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