Blumenthal: Trumpcare Confusion Costing Connecticut Consumers

(Hartford, CT) - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) issued the following statement following news that Connecticut health insurers have sought rate increases averaging as high as 33.8 percent in the individual group market to 31.6 percent in the small group market in reaction to uncertainty and concern caused by GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and dismantle access to healthcare and failure to work with Democrats to improve the health care system and lower costs for consumers.

 “Make no mistake, these rate increases are a direct response to the uncertainty, confusion and fear caused by the Republican-led assault on our healthcare system. Reckless efforts by the GOP to dismantle the Affordable Care Act are costing consumers before their disastrous plan even hits the Senate for debate. I am fighting to ensure Trumpcare is dead on arrival in the Senate, and I call on Republican leadership to stop their heartless political vendetta and commit to responsible and reasonable discussions to improve, not dismantle access to affordable healthcare. At the same time, I expect the Insurance Commissioner will carefully scrutinize these requests and stop any anti-consumer effort to unfairly or illegally exploit patients or providers.”