Hogan Noticeably Absent as Bipartisan Governors Push Congress to Stabilize Insurance Markets

Annapolis, Md. – Last night, a bipartisan group of governors sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass bipartisan legislation to stabilize insurance markets.  Governor Larry Hogan—who last week refused to answer questions on how he plans to protect Marylanders from President Trump’s sabotage of the ACA—did not sign the letter.
 
“Governor Hogan’s decision not to sign this letter is disappointing, but not surprising,” said Maryland Democratic Party spokesperson Fabion Seaton.  “It has been clear since January, when Republicans began attempting to dismantle the ACA, that Governor Hogan would not join Marylanders in fighting to protect our healthcare.  By not signing this letter, Governor Hogan reiterated his commitment to standing with Washington Republicans instead of the people of our state. Marylanders deserve to know if Governor Hogan supports Alexander-Murray or if he supports President Trump’s reckless acts of sabotage.”
 
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order to exempt health care plans from critical consumer protection requirements and he announced that he is withholding cost sharing reductions (CSRs), which are the federal payments that health insurance companies rely on to keep coverage affordable. CSR payments help keep coverage affordable for more than 75,000 Marylanders, which is more than half of the total marketplace enrollees in Maryland.  Together, these acts will devastate thousands of working families in Maryland who will face dramatic premium increases—some will see their insurance premiums increase by 10 percent or more.
 
Trump’s actions drew sharp criticism from many Governors, including Republican Governors John Kasich of Ohio, Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts. 
 
Earlier this year, while Governors like Kasich, Sandoval and Baker were publicly pressuring their GOP colleagues in Washington to oppose TrumpCare, Governor Hogan was notably missing in action despite calls from Maryland families that he join them on the frontlines.  
 
After an 11th hour stunt by President Trump to save face by sabotaging health care for countless American families, Governor Hogan is once again missing in action.  Why won’t he fight for Maryland?