WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats believe health care is an issue that resonates with most Americans, as they claim. Subsidy extension In exchange for a vote to reopen the shuttered U.S. government. But it is also one of the most intractable issues in Congress, and a substantial compromise between the governments. shutdown It probably won’t be easy or quick.
Some Republicans in Congress want to extend the high subsidies first introduced in 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, as millions of people who receive insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces are scheduled to receive premium notices. It will increase in the new year. But many Republicans strongly oppose any extension, viewing the debate as another opportunity to cut the program entirely.
“If Republicans govern in the polls and fail to seize this moment, they will be to blame,” Republican Rep. Chip Roy wrote in a letter published in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend. He encouraged senators not to “wander around” on the issue.
“Things are getting better and the pandemic is over. Colleagues should not blink in the other direction,” Roy wrote.
Republicans have fiercely criticized former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, the Affordable Care Act, since it was enacted 15 years ago. But while they were able to take it step by step; could not be changed significantly as Recorded 24 million people People are now getting insurance through the ACA, largely because billions of dollars in subsidies have made insurance plans more affordable for many people.
Now, some of them see the Democratic fight as an opportunity to revisit the issue — putting Republican congressional leaders and President Donald Trump in a complicated position as the government shutdown enters its seventh day and hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain without pay.
“I’m happy to work with Democrats on failed health care and other policies, but first we must allow the government to reopen,” President Trump posted on social media Monday night. Return to previous comment He said negotiations are continuing with the Democratic Party.
Waiting for the other person to blink
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R.S., has repeatedly suggested that Republicans would be willing to extend the aid with reforms if Democrats reopen the government. But he refused to negotiate until that happened, suggesting Trump would be key to the final outcome.
tune “There may be a path forward” on ACA subsidies, he told reporters Monday, but stressed: “I think a lot of it depends on where the White House lands.”
Many Republican senators say the only way forward is to overhaul the law. “The problem with all of this is Obamacare,” said Florida Sen. Rick Scott.
Most House Republicans agree, and the Speaker mike johnson He was not active in the discussion.
“Obamacare isn’t working,” Johnson said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We’re trying to fix that.”
Democrats believe so. National sentiment is on their side And because people enrolled in the program, many of whom live in Republican precincts and states, will be notified of the rate increases, Trump and Republicans say they need to come to the negotiating table.
“All I can say is that the American people are thinking very deeply about solving this health crisis,” Schumer said Monday night after the Senate rejected the fifth House-passed government reopening bill. “Every poll we’ve seen shows that they want us to shut down the government, and they seem to feel that Republicans are much more responsible for shutting down the government than we are.”
Bipartisan talks face difficulties
With leaders at odds, some senators from both parties are holding private talks to find a way out of the shutdown. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota proposed extending the subsidies for one year and then phasing them out. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has proposed pushing through a series of pending bipartisan spending bills and pledging to discuss health care issues.
But talks and the U.S. government remain at an impasse, with many Democrats saying promises are not enough and Republicans saying deeper reforms are needed.
Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, voted with Republicans to keep the government open. But he said Monday that he might switch his vote to “no” unless Republicans “present solid evidence that we are going to solve this crisis” on health care.
But Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said his party “will not budge.” “First and foremost, before we talk about anything, they need to reopen the government.”
Some Republicans urge action on health care
Still, some Republicans say they’re willing to extend the aid even if they don’t like it because it’s clear voters will face increased costs.
“I’m open to looking at a variety of reforms, but I think something has to be done,” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said. He said Congress should address the issue “sooner rather than later” before the public offering opens on Nov. 1.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she was “not a fan” of Obamacare, but suggested she might vote to extend it.
“I’m going to disagree with you on this issue because when the tax credit expires this year, my own 2026 adult child insurance premiums will double. So will the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district,” she posted on social media Monday night.
