[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 202 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Healthcare

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, we are 12 days away from the 
deadline for Americans to get healthcare coverage starting January 1--
12 days. Time is running out for us in Congress to act.
  Ultimately, we can all agree on one thing: Healthcare in America is 
unaffordable for families, for farmers, and for small businesses alike.
  This morning, the HELP Committee held a hearing called Making Health 
Care Affordable Again: Healing a Broken System. Many ideas were shared. 
But walking out of that hearing room only heightened my sense of 
urgency. You see, just 2 weeks ago, Senator Coons and Representative 
McBride and I met with the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and 
the high cost of healthcare took up three quarters of the meeting.
  Like many Senators here, my office has received phone calls and 
emails about how devastating a lapse in ACA tax credits would be for 
our constituents. James from Selbyville, DE, reached out this morning 
to tell me his story. He said:

       My family's ACA premium will increase 110 percent without 
     the continuation of the enhanced premium subsidy.

  One hundred ten percent.
  Let's break this down. The average income for a family of four in 
Sussex County, DE, is $78,000 a year. With a 110-percent increase, 
their premium could jump from $241 a month to $507 a month. That is a 
monthly increase of $266. That is more than the current premium cost. 
The increase cost works out to an additional $3,192 a year.
  How are families supposed to afford this? How is James supposed to 
keep his family healthy and pay the rent, utilities, groceries? Costs 
are already high and through the roof for all of these things.
  It is time we approach the healthcare crisis with the urgency our 
constituents deserve, which is why tomorrow I will be introducing a new 
bill, the Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability Act.
  Here are five ways that this bill will help people like James: First, 
it would extend the ACA tax credits for 3 years, which would prevent 
health insurance premiums from spiking; second, it would make it easier 
for working people who want coverage to enroll by cutting redtape 
because we all have enough on our plates, and no one needs more 
paperwork to fill out; third, it would force insurance companies to be 
transparent about enrollment opportunities so that no one falls through 
the cracks; fourth, it would protect consumers from surprise premium 
bills; and fifth, it would lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers by 
reversing the harmful Trump administration regulations that increase 
premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing back in June.
  Senator Wyden and I are introducing this bill because it is time for 
Congress to stand up for people like James and his family because no 
one should have to choose between rent and healthcare, between 
groceries and a checkup, between keeping the lights on or paying for 
chemo.
  It is long overdue we address the health crisis and lower costs for 
everyday Americans. We have 12 days--12 days--to ensure that people get 
their healthcare coverage. We have no time to waste, and I urge my 
colleagues to consider my bill. The clock is ticking.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.