Galesburg, Illinois – As the Chicago Tribune reported last week, Obamacare is devastating individuals and families alike in Illinois with higher premiums and fewer options, yet Democrats like Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) are clinging to the dopey belief that everything's A-OK:
In Illinois, rates will increase by an average of 44 percent for the lowest-priced individual bronze plans, 45 percent for the lowest-priced silver plans and 55 percent for the lowest-priced gold plans. Higher-level plans, such as gold plans, typically have higher monthly costs and lower out-of-pocket costs than lower-level plans.
In Illinois, a 27-year-old who buys the second-lowest price silver plan on the exchange will pay an average of $298 a month before tax credits — a 43 percent increase over this year. A family of four in Illinois will pay an average of $1,078 a month for the second-lowest price silver plan before tax credits.
Patrick Harlan, Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the Illinois 17th District, released the following statement:
"Believe it or not, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos still supports Obamacare. Ask her. She still supports it. How is this not a bigger deal when premiums are going up 40, 50, 60 percent?
"The seven-year argument is now settled. Obamacare is a bad deal for Illinois 17th District workers and families. There's no point in arguing that anymore. But Congresswoman Bustos continues to deny reality, pretending everything is A-OK, while Illinois workers and families are hurting and unable to afford these ridiculous premium increases.
"The people need to know. Does Cheri Bustos still support Obamacare? How will she address this devastating crisis impacting hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in Illinois?
"There is not a sane person anywhere who sees a light at the end of the Obamacare tunnel. Rates are skyrocketing, and families are questioning how they will make ends meet. So what does Cheri Bustos plan to do about it? And does she even care?"
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Patrick Harlan at (815) 200-9510 or e-mail at electpatrickharlan@gmail.com.
