Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order to loosen regulations under the Affordable Care Act:

"I have long said we must reform our health care system to make it more competitive, affordable, and transparent," Bennet said. "Although the President claims his executive order will increase competition and lower costs, it will weaken consumer protections, resulting in skimpier plans and higher health care bills for people with preexisting conditions. This is not a tradeoff the President should be willing to make. Instead, he should look to the Senate HELP Committee where we are drafting bipartisan legislation that will stabilize the individual market and address long-term fixes for our health care system."