Republicans on Tuesday continued to slam reports that Obamacare premiums will rise by as much as 25 percent next year, with Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton saying the healthcare program is in "a death spiral."
"Despite the president's claims that Obamacare would lower the cost of premiums, Americans will pay on average 25 percent more than last year," Cotton said. "Regrettably, the problems don't end there.
"Americans are also facing higher deductibles, shrinking networks, and fewer options as insurers flee the exchanges.
"Obamacare is in a death spiral — and we must take action before things get worse," Cotton said. "The best solution is to fully repeal and replace Obamacare."
The White House said Monday that premiums would increase an average of 25 percent across the 39 states served by the federally run online market. Some states will see much bigger jumps, others less.
Rep. Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon who represents Georgia, said "another year, another increase.
"While President Obama and Democrats have the audacity to tout Obamacare's 'success,' the cold hard facts and figures prove the opposite is true.
"Every single day. Obamacare is making the quality of healthcare in this country worse," said Price, chairman of the House Budget Committee.
"The president and Democrats want to throw more tax dollars at the problem and want to pass more laws to prop up Obamacare — but the last thing we need is more government involvement in healthcare.
"American patients and taxpayers cannot afford Obamacare, and clearly this law was doomed from the start."