Sen. Mark Kelly on Sept. 16, 2026 called for reversing what he described as Trump-era "healthcare cuts" to preserve affordable, quality care for Americans. His post on X emphasized protecting access and lowering costs. Other Democrats — including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders — warned that recent federal changes could raise drug and coverage costs, while CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz defended the policy package and cited a roughly $200 billion budget increase and limited premium impacts for most beneficiaries.
Sen. Mark Kelly Urges Reversal of Trump-Era Healthcare Cuts: "Every American Should Afford Quality Care"
A person in a suit and tie speaks into a microphone at a podium with a logo in the background. (Credit: Image via Shutterstock)
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Sept. 16, 2026 urged Congress and the administration to reverse what he called President Donald Trump’s "healthcare cuts," arguing that Americans must have reliable access to affordable, high-quality medical care regardless of where they live.
In a post on X, Kelly said he is working to protect health-care access and reduce costs nationwide.
"I'm fighting to make sure health care is there when you need it, no matter who you are or where you live. That starts with reversing Trump's healthcare cuts and making sure every American can afford quality care." — Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly), September 16, 2026
Kelly's remarks come amid heightened debate over recent federal policy changes and their potential impacts on coverage and drug costs. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) warned last month that ending a Medicare Part D subsidy could raise prescription-drug expenses for roughly 1.3 million New Yorkers, and highlighted state efforts to blunt higher costs.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has argued that a law signed by Trump contributed to notable losses in Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children in several states and questioned administration claims about lower prescription-drug prices. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) challenged an administration assertion that drug prices fell by "400% to 600%," calling such figures mathematically impossible and promoting legislation he says would cut prescription costs substantially.
On the other side, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz defended the package of changes associated with what has been referred to as the "Big, Beautiful Bill Act," noting it included roughly a $200 billion increase in budget authority, targeted funding for rural hospitals, and investments in health-care technology and workforce development. CMS has also said it will end the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after 2026; the agency asserted that most beneficiaries would see premium increases of less than $10 while the administration pursues other efforts to lower drug costs.
The exchange underscores ongoing partisan disagreement over federal health policy, prescription-drug pricing and program funding. Lawmakers, state officials and health-care advocates continue to weigh how best to protect coverage and control costs as changes are implemented and demonstrations conclude.
Note: This report is based on public statements from elected officials and CMS announcements. Original publication by Benzinga.com included additional sponsored investment content; that material has been omitted here to focus on the policy developments and statements described above.
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