EAU CLAIRE, WI – City Council President Emily Berge released the following statement
following the government shutdown.
“Derrick Van Orden and Donald Trump are putting billionaires over everyday Americans.
Republicans control the White House, Senate, and House and shoulder the full responsibility of
this shutdown and its harm to the American people. In passing the ‘Big Billionaire’ law, Rep. Van
Orden and President Trump made it clear that they care more about the bank accounts of
billionaires and corporations than the health and financial stability of working-class Americans.
Democrats presented a plan to keep the Government open AND to protect healthcare coverage.
But, Trump, Derrick Van Orden, and other Republicans did not even attempt to work with
Democrats to come up with solutions.
The Democratic plan to prevent a Government shut down included what Republicans were
asking for plus would have: 1. Extended ACA Premium Tax Credits, set to expire at the end of
the year – to keep insurance affordable for our neighbors. 2. Restored the $1 Trillion in
Medicaid Cuts that will devastate our rural hospitals and vulnerable populations. We need
solutions to help everyday Americans not make life worse for people.
Folks in Wisconsin, and across the country, will be faced with soaring healthcare costs if
Republicans do not come to the negotiating table – premiums will jump 75% next year for over
20 million Americans depending on the Affordable Care Act tax credits and millions will lose
coverage. People are already struggling to pay for healthcare. Hospitals are already closing. We
need solutions now.
If Derrick Van Orden and other Republicans do not come to the table, our neighbors will be put
at life-threatening risk. Cancer patients could be pushed to skip radiation and chemotherapy
treatments. Seniors could have to forgo doctor visits. Children could lose access to medications
they need to survive. This is the choice that Derrick Van Orden has in front of him – serve the
people of Wisconsin or give handouts to billionaires.”
