ICYMI: Rep. Bera Holds Press Conference Demanding Action to Protect Affordable Health Care and Reopen the Federal Government

SACRAMENTO, CA — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) held a press conference at his District Office in Sacramento, urging Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House of Representatives and pass a bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government and extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are critical to keeping health care affordable for 24 million Americans — including 28,000 residents in California’s Sixth Congressional District.

Covered California’s renewal period begins in just a few days on October 15, and Californians are already receiving notices warning that their monthly premiums will skyrocket if Congress fails to act by the end of the year.

For example, a 60-year-old couple in Sacramento County earning $82,800 a year would see their annual health insurance premiums increase by 628% — a staggering $23,568 more out of pocket. Without congressional action, families like these across the country will face an impossible choice: take on an unsustainable financial burden or go without coverage altogether.

“At a time when so many Sacramento County families are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, or put food on the table, to then get hit with the double whammy of these increases makes no sense,” said Bera.

Bera emphasized that the ongoing government shutdown is already hurting everyday Americans — from families planning visits to national parks, to troops and federal workers on the verge of missing a paycheck, to local students whose school trips to Washington, D.C. have been disrupted.

“Speaker Johnson, let’s get back to the negotiating table. Let’s reopen the government. Let’s make sure our troops get their pay and salary increases. And let’s get the government working again,” Bera added. 

Watch the full press conference here.