Pallone at NJ Coast Guard Base: Republican Shutdown Leaves Service Members Unpaid, Drives Up Health Costs
SANDY HOOK, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today stood outside the Sandy Hook Coast Guard base to call out Republicans for shutting down the government and creating a health care crisis that will hit New Jersey families hard. While Coast Guard service members remain on duty without pay, President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill is slashing Medicaid and federal health care funding. At the same time, Republicans are allowing Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, which will cause premiums to spike for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans.
“Republicans shut down the federal government and abandoned the people they represent,” Pallone said. “Here at Sandy Hook, Coast Guard members are protecting our shoreline without pay, and across the state New Jerseyans are about to see their health care costs skyrocket. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill rips away Medicaid and guts health care funding, and now Republicans are forcing federal premium support to expire – making working people, seniors, and people with disabilities to pay more for care or go without. This is a crisis, and only Republicans can end it since they control the House, the Senate, and the White House.”
Pallone was joined by Justin Zimmerman, New Jersey’s Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, who spoke to the sharp insurance rates residents are expected to face due to Republican policies.
“In less than a month, consumers will be shopping for health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the State’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace. Without the immediate extension of enhanced premium tax credits, health insurance premiums on the marketplace will skyrocket. New Jerseyans will lose more than $500 million in federal assistance, and health insurance costs will more than double for the average enrollee receiving financial help,” said New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Justin
Zimmerman. “We strongly urge Congress to do the right thing and extend enhanced premium tax credits to keep critical health coverage and health care in reach for individuals and families in New Jersey.”
Lauren Zalepka, a New Jersey mother, shared how her daughter Dani depends on Medicaid, underscoring the consequences of Trump’s Big, Ugly bill for families like hers.
“A government shutdown creates real fear and uncertainty for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For many families like mine, the supports and services provided by Medicaid are not optional—they are what make it possible for our loved ones to live safely at home, get to work, and be part of their communities. We urge our leaders to protect those most at risk and ensure that Medicaid supports remain stable, reliable, and fully funded,” said Zalepka.
Laura Waddell, Health Care Program Director at New Jersey Citizen Action, detailed how people earning under $63,000 a year will face sharp increases in their monthly premiums during open enrollment.
“By refusing to extend the ACA tax credits, Republicans in Congress are driving up health care costs for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey families who count on them to keep coverage affordable. That means over 450,000 residents could see premium hikes of 110%, an average of more than $4,000 for a family of four, on top of devastating cuts to Medicaid and hospital funding,” said New Jersey Citizen Action Health Care Program Director, Laura Waddell. “Families are already stretched thin by the rising cost of groceries, housing, and utilities. Forcing them to choose between paying for basic needs or keeping their health insurance is unacceptable. We’re urging Congress to put people first, end this shutdown, and protect the tax credits families depend on.”