Hey Tom, It Is Time To Talk About Health Care

This week, Congressman Tom Barrett voted to support a continuing resolution to reopen the government, but the measure does nothing to extend the health care tax credits that are set to expire this year, and leaves tens of thousands of people in Michigan's 7th District facing hundreds more in health care premiums. Barrett previously claimed he was "open to discussing" the tax credits, but has failed to show up to meetings with constituents to talk about what it means to actually protect affordable healthcare in Michigan.

"I went to Congressman Barrett's office to ask what he plans to do about families who can't afford to have premiums double when the health care tax credits expire," said Ashley Meyers, a nurse and Lansing-area resident. "His staff tended to our questions, but wouldn't give us real answers about what actions our congressman would take to address this crisis. Now he's voted to do nothing to extend these tax credits. As a nurse, I see every day what happens when people can't afford healthcare—they skip medications, they delay treatment, their conditions get worse. When will Congressman Barrett stop hiding behind vague statements and actually take action to permanently extend these tax credits? Michiganders who rely on the marketplace for insurance coverage deserve answers, not empty promises."

Earlier this year, Congressman Barrett voted for the Republican Tax Law that made massive cuts to health care services, in favor of tax cuts to billionaires, and now he's voted for a government funding measure that does nothing to restore the ACA tax credits leaving even more individuals at risk of losing coverage. His constituents who rely on marketplace insurance coverage are left wondering when—or if—their congressman will actually fight for affordable healthcare instead of just talking about it.