Durbin Slams Trump Administration, Congressional Republicans For Failing To Address Rising Health Care Costs For Americans

WASHINGTON–Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor, drawing a sharp contrast between the successful efforts of congressional Democrats to lower the cost of 10 common prescription drugs, and congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration’s actions to gut funding for Medicaid and end the enhanced premium tax credits that assist 22 million Americans in affording health insurance.
On January 1, new, lower costs for 10 of themost expensive prescription drugsfor Americans with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage went into effect. TheInflation Reduction Act, which was passed by congressional Democrats without a single Republican vote, provided the executive branch with the authority to negotiate prescription drug prices with Big Pharma. As a result, the cost of these 10 prescription drugs, ranging from blood thinners to diabetes medications, will drop by up to 79 percent for patients on Medicare. Nine million seniors will save a total of $1.5 billion in annual out-of-pocket costs, including nearly 300,000 seniors in Illinois who take one of these drugs.
“January 2026 marks a new era for Medicare recipients. After decades of empty promises about lowering the cost of prescription medications, the prices of 10 of the most expensive drugs under Medicare will finally fall. Starting this year, seniors who rely on medications to treat blood clots, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers will see discounts of up to 79 percent for these essential drugs,”Durbin began his speech.
“For years, Medicare was blocked from negotiating the price of drugs by the pharmaceutical companies. They didn’t want to cut into their profits. That changed when Democrats passed theInflation Reduction Actin 2022 under the Biden Administration. This law empowered Medicare to bargain for fair prices for medications used by seniors. Not one single Republican voted for this bill in 2022,”Durbin said.“Seniors will be saving hundreds of dollars a month because Democrats rolled up our sleeves to deliver price cuts on prescription drugs.”
While Democrats delivered health care savings to Americans, congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration have gutted Medicaid, slashing the program by $1 trillion in the so-calledOne Big Beautiful Bill Act. Following the bill’s passage last year, Durbinwroteto each hospital in Illinois to learn more about the expected impact of slashing Medicaid. Across the board, the hospitals anticipate longer wait times for care and cuts to health care services while rural hospitals expressed concern that they will struggle to run their operations.
“[President Trump] decided to slash Medicaid by $1 trillion with the passage of his so-called ‘Big Beautiful Budget Bill’ last year. Because of this law, many hospitals across Illinois and across the country, especially in rural areas, may not survive. Rural hospitals are the backbone of communities in my state and many others. They are the anchors of the local economy. Several hospitals that are barely squeaking by today have told me that they will fall into the red because of the Republican health care cuts in this law,”Durbin said.
“My Republican colleagues know exactly how devastating their Medicaid cuts will be. That is why they attempted to remedy the situation by including a $50 billion ‘Rural Health Transformation Grant’ in their ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ Let’s do some math here. They’re cutting $1 trillion out of Medicaid, and they’re trying to fill that gap with $50 billion?”Durbin said.
In addition to slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid, congressional Republicans manufactured a health care crisis by failing to extend the now-lapsed enhanced premium tax credits that helped Americans afford their health care coverage on theAffordable Care Actmarketplace.
“Last year, 22 million Americans relied on these credits to afford their health care. But now, they have expired. Despite pressure from patients, physicians, and providers, congressional Republicans refused to extend them. What is the impact of refusing to extend this program that makes health insurance more affordable? I’m afraid it’s obvious. During the 2026 open enrollment period, millions of people decided to drop their health insurance coverage. Others are being forced to make impossible choices between food, car payments, and housing costs,”Durbin continued.
“If we fail to immediately solve these problems, millions of people will become uninsured in this country. And those who retain coverage will pay double or triple for their health care plans,”Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks by urging his Republican colleagues to finally work across the aisle to extend the tax credits and ensure that millions of Americans can afford health care coverage.
“It is not too late to do something… Congress can extend the tax credits and reopen the sign-up period before the worst impacts are felt. At least some of my Republican colleagues recognize the pain their refusal to negotiate has caused. Last month, four Senate Republicans broke ranks to vote with Democrats to extend the enhanced premium tax credits and help people pay for their health insurance. In the House, four House Republicans signed a discharge petition to force a vote later this week on extending the tax credits,”Durbin said.
“We must be ready to act when the bill arrives in the Senate. Americans do not have the time for Congress to litigate the entirety of the U.S. health care system, but we do need triage now,”Durbin concluded his remarks.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations.
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