For over a month, we’ve heard a lot of finely-tuned talking points coming from Congressional Republicans about the government shutdown they created. But those talking points couldn’t be further from the reality of the situation.

Let me break it down:

Here in our Commonwealth, there are half a million Pennsylvanians who get their health care through the Affordable Care Act. Many of these folks use what’s called Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to obtain affordable insurance through Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official health coverage marketplace.

But just a few months back, Congressional Republicans passed a bill to end those tax credits. Now, thousands of Pennsylvania families are staring down a massive increase in monthly premiums next year.

John, our administration did the math — and it’s catastrophic. For example, right now, the average 60-year-old married couple living in York County with an annual income of $82,000 pays about $586 a month for their health insurance through the ACA. Without those tax credits? That number balloons to $2,976 a month.

That’s a 412% increase.

Here’s where the government shutdown ties in: Congressional Republicans had the opportunity to renew these tax credits just days before the shutdown. But they voted it down. In other words, Congressional Republicans shut down the government… in order to raise your health insurance premiums.

This may come as a surprise to some of these politicians down in DC, but their actions have real-world impacts. Families, seniors, and kids all across Pennsylvania are going to be hurt because of their inaction. And John, what I can’t understand is why Congressional Republicans — who control every branch of government in DC — want to be so damn punitive to folks here in Pennsylvania.

It’s not good policy. It’s not about “fiscal responsibility,” or any other excuse they want to peddle. It’s about punishing folks who need affordable health care.

John, I’m through with DC politicians lying through their teeth to the good people of Pennsylvania. I’m ready to push back and defend Pennsylvanians’ health care using every tool at my disposal — but I need you standing with me. If you’re in a position to give, will you chip in just a few dollars to support Team Shapiro in the consequential weeks ahead of us?

Thank you for reading,

Josh