Collins cost Mainers affordable health care, new video highlights Collins in her own words saying extending ACA tax credits is a “poison pill”

Augusta, Maine – Today, the Maine Democratic Party is launching a new video slamming Susan Collins for consistently calling efforts to extend ACA tax credits and save health care for tens of thousands of Mainers “poison pills.”

The video comes after Collins refused to include an ACA tax credit extension in the deal to reopen the government and repeatedly voted against a bill that would have prevented premiums from skyrocketing. As a result of Collins not extending the tax credits when she had the chance, more than 50,000 Mainers are expected to see their insurance premiums “double, triple or even quadruple.” For months, Mainers have warned of the impact rising costs will have on them and their health.

WATCH:

Transcript:

  • News Anchor: Mainers insured through the Affordable Care Act could see their premiums skyrocket if congressional Republicans take away enhanced premium tax credits.

  • Caption: “Congressional Democrats sadly have put forth a partisan alternative that is full of poison pill riders.” - Susan Collins

  • News Anchor: And Democrats promise to return with a vengeance, saying they will not stand down on their demand to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

  • Susan Collins: Poison pills, poison pills, poison pills, poison pills, poison pills.

Maine Democratic Party spokesperson Tommy Garcia:
“Susan Collins is to blame for Mainers’ skyrocketing insurance rates. Collins refusing to back efforts to save Mainers’ health care, calling those efforts ‘poison pills,’ and ignoring months-long demands for action is disqualifying and Maine voters will continue to hold Collins accountable for her role in jacking up our costs.”

See more: MDP Statement on Susan Collins Refusing to Stave Off Skyrocketing Insurance Rates; What Mainers are Watching: “‘It's Ridiculous.’ Maine Cancer Patient Expects Insurance Premium to Triple” [WMTW]; Two Weeks Since Open Enrollment Started, Collins to Blame for Mainers’ Skyrocketing Insurance Costs; ICYMI: Mainers Protest Susan Collins as She Refuses to Extend ACA Tax Credits; What They’re Saying: “Mainers Face Steep Premiums on ACA Marketplace with Expiration of Enhanced Tax Credits”; What Mainers are Saying: “Susan Collins Refuses to Protect Our Health Care”; What They’re Watching: Mainers Share Personal Stories of How Skyrocketing Insurance Rates Will Impact Their Lives & Health; What Mainers are Saying About Rising Insurance Premiums: “I am Scared,” “What Are We Going to Do,” People “Are Going to Die”; What Mainers are Saying: Rising Insurance Premiums are “Catastrophic”; ICYMI: “Mainers to Collins: Prioritize Our Health, Renew ACA Tax Credits”; ICYMI: Impacted Mainers Discuss Skyrocketing Insurance Rates As Collins Refuses to Protect Mainers’ Health Care; While Mainers Face Health Care Cliff, Collins Gets MAGA Swag Bag at Trump “Unity” Lunch; What They’re Saying: Maine Democrats, Advocates Criticize Collins, “Warn [of] Health Care Increases” [Maine Morning Star]; ICYMI: Maine Dems, Health Care Leaders Call Out Collins for Failing To Protect Mainers’ Health Care; What Mainers are Watching and Reading: Thanks to Collins, Mainers “Could See Their Premiums Skyrocket”; Maine Beacon: Susan Collins accepts thousands from insurers while health costs soar for Mainers

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