US Congressmen Dan Kildee warned Michigan residents that health insurance rates would likely increase if President Trump does not guarantee payments to insurance companies soon.
Those payments, called cost-sharing reduction payments (CSR), are required under the Affordable Care Act.
Congressman Kildee was one of several congressmen and women representing Michigan who released a statement this week.
Kildee said insurance companies will have to show their rates for the upcoming year soon.
“It could very well be that they will have to charge significantly higher rates based on the uncertainty that the president is going to follow the law under the affordable care act and provide these payments.”
The rate increases would impact thousands of Michiganders who buy their insurance from Michigan’s individual marketplace.
Kildee said not guaranteeing the CSR payments is part of the President's plan to end the Affordable Care Act.
“He’s sabotaging health care for Michigan residents and other Americans to try and make the argument that the Affordable Care Act isn’t working, but he’s the one who is breaking that and he shouldn’t be allowed to do that.”
Kildee said the people who would be impacted the most are residents who can least afford insurance instability.
“These are the folks who don’t qualify for medicaid, don’t have employer paid healthcare or medicare or VA health care. These are the folks who are really in the squeeze and can least afford to have their very own President sabotaging their ability to get affordable health care.”
According to the Detroit Free Press health insurance rates would increase by an average of 28 percent.