U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says Congress needs to act soon to shore up the federal online health insurance marketplaces put in place by the Affordable Care Act.
The Illinois Democrat said he welcomes bipartisan Senate hearings to discuss long-term ways to improve coverage for millions of Americans. But for now, he said, swift action is needed to address the higher insurance premiums and the increased costs of prescription drugs.
"We can't cut off the oxygen to our healthcare system to wait for a miracle cure," he said. "We've got to continue to keep it alive as we move to make changes to make it stronger."
Durbin said action on healthcare may be delayed by other issues, because lawmakers must approve a federal budget and raise the debt ceiling by the end of September. He's concerned that President Donald Trump may follow through with his threat to force a government shutdown if Congress fails to approve money for a proposed wall on the United States southern border. As the minority whip, Durbin worries that Congress may not be able to stop Trump if he follows through.
"If this president wants to shut down the government, he has the power to do it," Durbin said. "He can veto a couple of bills, and we'll see a government shutdown. But then, he's got to bear the responsibility. This is like a souvenir shop. Remember what the sign says? 'If you break it, you own it.'"
Some top Republicans also are pushing back against the president. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that he thought a shutdown was unnecessary.
