Amo Meets with Behavioral & Mental Health Leaders About Ruinous Republican Shutdown and Attacks on Health Care

Providence, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) joined behavioral and mental health leaders at Butler Hospital to discuss how Republican attacks on health care, and their decision to shut down the government rather than address skyrocketing costs, impede Rhode Islanders ability to get care.

Trump and Congressional Republicans' Big, Ugly Law cut more than $1.5 trillion from America’s health care system, raising costs and wait times for Rhode Islanders. The cuts to Medicaid, the largest payer for behavioral health services, will result in loss of access to vital care for vulnerable Americans. Republicans are also letting the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which help Rhode Islanders afford insurance through HealthSourceRI, expire. Without these health care tax credits, costs will skyrocket for over 40,000 Rhode Islanders, creating even more barriers to accessing affordable mental and behavioral health care. 

“Republicans created a health care crisis by stealing $1.5 trillion from our health system through their Big, Ugly Law, shut down the government rather than extending health care tax credits to lower costs for millions of Americans, and then fled Washington,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “Republicans are hurting the entire health system, from solo behavioral health providers to cutting-edge academic medical centers. Rather than stopping the cuts and improving access to health care, Trump and Republicans are raising barriers and forcing Americans to choose between the care they need and the ever-increasing costs of daily life Republicans are causing.”

“We are grateful to Congressman Amo and the entire RI Federal Delegation for their unwavering support at this critical time for hospitals across the state, as we are facing unprecedented financial and workforce challenges,” said Mary Marran, President and COO, Butler Hospital. “Congressman Amo has shown us a clear understanding of the importance of protecting access to care for our patients. Looming Medicaid cuts and loss of critical healthcare supports will jeopardize services for our most vulnerable neighbors and further strain an already fragile health system. These are not abstract policy decisions; they are real threats to the health and well-being of our communities.” 

Background

Congressman Amo has voted to protect Rhode Islanders’ health care since being sworn in to Congress in 2023. He voted against Republicans’ Big, Ugly Law, which stripped more than $1 trillion from America's health care system in July after speaking against the bill at 3 am, not once but twice. 

But Republicans remain intent on stealing from Rhode Islanders’ pockets. This week, Rhode Islanders will receive letters in the mail with their new health insurance costs for next year. Due to Republican inaction, for some Rhode Islanders, these letters will show a 200% increase in monthly premium costs, adding further strain to family budgets already taking a hit from Trump and Republicans’ cost of living crisis.  

Since the Republicans shut down the government rather than help Americans afford their health insurance, Amo has met with impacted Rhode Islanders across the First Congressional District. 

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