"Democratic optimism on this subject has been based on the belief that Republicans up for reelection next year really don't want to get blamed for the huge spike in health-insurance premiums that would hit upward of 20 million mostly middle-class Americans if the subsidies expire (with the first flare-up occurring when open enrollment for Obamacare plans begins on November 1)."
"But Punchbowl's reporting also shows why bringing along the the rest of the GOP caucus (which aside from the ever-erratic Marjorie Taylor Greene aren't going to split the party wide open over this issue) will be extremely difficult. An interview with the No. 2 House Republican, Steve Scalise, served as a reminder that the majority of Republicans don't just hate the expanded subsidies enacted in 2021, but Obamacare itself, and will be loathe to lift a finger to make it work better:"
"I know they're [Democrats] trying to dump the problems of Obamacare off on everybody, other than the people that actually passed and voted for Obamacare. Those high premiums are a result of Democrat policies. If they really wanted to work with us on lower premiums, there are a lot of bipartisan ideas that you could come to the table and bring and do, and they've got to stop fighting the things that have been proven to work, as well."
Efforts are underway to secure an extension of 2021-enacted Obamacare premium subsidies before expiration, with Democrats banking on Republican reluctance to be blamed for rising premiums. A potential premium spike could affect about 20 million mostly middle-class Americans, with open enrollment on November 1 triggering the first increases. Soundings of the U.S. House indicate roughly 20–30% of GOP lawmakers are open to extending the subsidies. The broader GOP caucus largely opposes the expanded subsidies and Obamacare itself, and Republican leaders promote alternatives like association health plans and health savings accounts, making bipartisan agreement difficult.
Read at Intelligencer
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]