Indio man joins Rep. Raul Ruiz at State of the Union to highlight health care costs

An Indio business owner and health care consultant attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday as the guest of Rep. Raul Ruiz, bringing attention to the rising cost of health insurance for families without enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.

Frank Brabec, who works as a health care management consultant, was invited by Ruiz after writing to the congressman’s office about the financial impact his family has experienced since the enhanced ACA premium tax credits lapsed.

Those enhanced subsidies expired at the end of last year, affecting about 22 million people.

The congressman said the issue transcends politics.

“Health care affordability isn’t political, it’s personal,” Ruiz wrote in a post online. “I’m grateful to Frank for reaching out and sharing his story.”

Brabec, who identifies as a Republican, said he was pleased that his concerns were received without regard to party affiliation.

“I truly appreciate how you and your staff respected my request to keep this visit nonpartisan and focused on affordability and accessibility,” Brabec said in a statement directed at Ruiz.

Brabec said his background in health care consulting gives him a broader view of what happens when insurance costs become unmanageable.

“As a constituent/small business owner and healthcare management consultant, I see both the family impact (about $15,000 more per year for me) and the system impact when affordability breaks down and other families go uninsured,” Brabec wrote online.

Brabec said he hoped his experience would serve as an example of how constituent outreach can lead to meaningful dialogue.

“I’m encouraged that just one letter to you led to real engagement,” he said.

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