INDIANAPOLIS – Republican governors are sounding the alarm following President Donald Trump’s unilateral move to end cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. They believe Trump’s actions will destabilize the insurance markets and jeopardize coverage for thousands of residents. Meanwhile, freshman Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb isn’t talking.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval called the move “devastating”. He said ending CSR payments is “going to hurt people. It’s going to hurt kids. It’s going to hurt families. It’s going to hurt individuals.” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, through a spokesperson, said “the Trump Administration is making the wrong decision” and halting CSR payments “will jeopardize coverage for thousands of Massachusetts residents relying on CSRs for affordable health care coverage.”

Cost-sharing reduction payments are a critical tool in keeping coverage affordable for Hoosiers. The National Governors Association, of which Governor Holcomb is a member, announced their support for fully funding CSR payments in August. More Hoosiers rely on CSR payments than Nevadans (68,937 vs. 42,533) according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Analysis from the Congressional Budget Officefound terminating CSR payments will send premiums skyrocketing by 20 percent and balloon the federal deficit by nearly $200 billion by 2026.

“Governor Holcomb is shirking his duty to working Hoosier families,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody. “The governor may feel some responsibility to the Washington-linked groups that pumped millions into his campaign, but his job is to protect Hoosiers. Ending CSR payments will mean higher premiums for Hoosiers on the individual insurance market. Folks like the Hoosier entrepreneur working to launch the next ExactTarget or the small business owner keeping jobs right here in Indiana. Stand up for them, not Washington Republicans, Governor Holcomb.”

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