Augusta, Maine – Maine Democratic Party spokesperson Tommy Garcia released the following statement on Susan Collins refusing to pass legislation that would both open the government and extend the expiring ACA tax credits:

“Susan Collins is to blame for Mainers’ rising costs and skyrocketing insurance rates. Collins has consistently put affordable health care at risk for thousands of Mainers, and they will hold her accountable for that come 2026.”

Despite months of warnings from Mainers about the impact rising costs will have on them and their health and Maine state officials warning action had to be taken before September 30th, Susan Collins did not sponsor any legislation to extend the tax credits. She instead voted numerous times against a bill that would have protected more than 50,000 Mainers who are already seeing their expected insurance premiums “double, triple or even quadruple” when enhanced premium ACA tax credits expire.

As part of the Senate’s voting series tonight, Collins again showed Mainers she doesn’t care about their health care and voted against an amendment to extend the ACA tax credits for one year.

See more: What They’re Saying: “Mainers Face Steep Premiums on ACA Marketplace with Expiration of Enhanced Tax Credits”;What Mainers are Saying: “Susan Collins Refuses to Protect Our Health Care”;What They’re Watching: Mainers Share Personal Stories of How Skyrocketing Insurance Rates Will Impact Their Lives & Health; What Mainers are Saying About Rising Insurance Premiums: “I am Scared,” “What Are We Going to Do,” People “Are Going to Die”; What Mainers are Saying: Rising Insurance Premiums are “Catastrophic”;ICYMI: “Mainers to Collins: Prioritize Our Health, Renew ACA Tax Credits”; ICYMI: Impacted Mainers Discuss Skyrocketing Insurance Rates As Collins Refuses to Protect Mainers’ Health Care; While Mainers Face Health Care Cliff, Collins Gets MAGA Swag Bag at Trump “Unity” Lunch; What They’re Saying: Maine Democrats, Advocates Criticize Collins, “Warn [of] Health Care Increases” [Maine Morning Star];ICYMI: Maine Dems, Health Care Leaders Call Out Collins for Failing To Protect Mainers’ Health Care; What Mainers are Watching and Reading: Thanks to Collins, Mainers “Could See Their Premiums Skyrocket”; Maine Beacon: Susan Collins accepts thousands from insurers while health costs soar for Mainers