Congressman Raul Ruiz Fights to Reopen Government, Protect Health Care for American Families
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is in Washington, D.C. pushing to end the reckless government shutdown and protect affordable health care for hardworking families.
This morning, he participated in a Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing to stand up for the millions of Americans who depend on the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to access lifesaving care. Those credits expire at the end of 2025 if Congress fails to act.
At the hearing, lawmakers heard from patients like Brick Williams, a self-employed guitar teacher from Cedar Hills, Utah. Brick lives with Common Variable Immune Deficiency, a rare genetic disease that requires expensive infusion treatments twice a month to keep him alive. Thanks to the ACA and enhanced premium tax credits, Brick can afford the coverage he needs. Without them, his insurance costs would skyrocket by 650% and would exceed his monthly mortgage, forcing impossible decisions between health care and a place to live.
Video footage of the hearing can be found here.
Congressman Ruiz shared during the hearing that people in California’s 25th Congressional District could see their premiums raise by up to $1500 a month, or $18,000 a year.
“I’m in Washington D.C. fighting to reopen the government and prevent skyrocketing health care costs due to Speaker Johnson and Republicans canceling work and refusing to extend the ACA tax credits,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “People in my district, like Brick, cannot afford the higher costs of health care and will go without lifesaving medicine or paying their rent or mortgage. That’s why Speaker Johnson needs to call Congress back to work, reopen the government, protect health care, and lower costs for working people.”
Congressman Ruiz is urging House Republicans to stop their obstruction and join bipartisan efforts to reopen the government immediately. He remains focused on lowering health care costs, ensuring families can access the care they need, and keeping vital services running across the country.