Could the Destruction of the ACA Force Democrats to Champion Medicare for All?

"After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Senate Democrats faltered and ended their standoff with their Republican colleagues. Democrats had initially dug in for the funding fight, they said, to protect subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These government tax credits, set to expire at the end of the year, keep health insurance affordable for the millions of Americans who are covered through the ACA."

"In the end, the only concession Democrats extracted from Republicans was a "promise" to hold a vote on the ACA subsidies - a vote that is almost certain to fail. Ultimately, seven Democrats and one independent - Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the Democrats - broke ranks with their party and voted to approve the Republican-backed budget. Why these Democrats chose to cave, and why they did so at this juncture, has mystified observers and fellow party members."

"At the same time, polling showed that Democrats were winning the messaging battle over the shutdown, with more voters blaming Republicans than Democrats for the standstill. Trump's approval rating had also fallen to the lowest point of his second term, even dipping below the lowest moments of his first term. Among the Democratic base, fighting for the ACA subsidies was popular, with more than 80 percent of Democrats backing the standoff, even as Republicans ratcheted up public pressure by ending SNAP benefits and canceling flights."

After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Senate Democrats ended a standoff with Republican colleagues despite initially insisting they would fight to protect Affordable Care Act subsidies. The ACA tax credits, set to expire at year-end, make health insurance affordable for millions covered through the program. The only concession won was a "promise" to hold a vote on the subsidies, a vote widely expected to fail. Ultimately seven Democrats and one independent, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), broke ranks to approve the Republican-backed budget. Polling showed Democrats led public messaging and Trump's approval fell, while much of the Democratic base supported the standoff even as Republicans increased pressure by ending SNAP benefits and canceling flights.

Read at Truthout