NEWARK - October 1, 2025 - New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) today called on the Trump administration and GOP lawmakers to end the government shutdown they created, and work with Democrats to ensure millions of Americans have access to quality affordable healthcare and affordable prescription drugs. NJCA Healthcare Program Director Laura Waddell released the following statement:

“President Trump and his GOP allies would rather shut down the government than pass policies that protect patients from skyrocketing health care premiums and lower drug prices. Their refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits that make health insurance affordable means that millions of Americans, including 341,834 in New Jersey, risk losing their health care coverage or facing staggering premium increases. Instead, the Trump administration chooses to side with big pharmaceutical corporations, insurance companies, and the ultra-wealthy, protecting profits and tax breaks by taking healthcare, affordable drugs and other benefits away from everyday Americans.

“Americans should never have to worry about losing health care because politicians in Washington want to enrich their allies. New Jersey residents are already burdened with high costs of living. Without legislative action they will be forced to pay thousands more just to stay insured and will struggle even more to afford prescription drugs.

“We urge the GOP-led Congress, and in particular our New Jersey Representatives Jeff Van Drew, Tom Kean Jr., and Chris Smith, to end this shutdown immediately and work with their Democratic counterparts to extend enhanced premium tax credits, restore Medicaid and Medicare funding, and take real steps to lower costs for families.”

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