Washington (AP) – US Government shutdown On Wednesday, along with democratic lawmakers, the deal addresses their healthcare demands and Republicans say those negotiations could happen. After government funded.
There is a problem Tax credit This has made health insurance more affordable for millions of people since the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsidies for low- and middle-income earners who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will expire at the end of the year. Congress will not expand them. Their expiration dates are more than double what subsidized enrollees currently pay for premiums. Analysis by KFFa nonprofit organization investigating healthcare issues.
Democrats have called for the grants, which were first introduced in 2021 and extended a year later, to be extended again. They also hope that the government’s funding bill will reverse the president’s Medicaid cuts Donald Trump’sMega Building It passed this summer, and although it won’t take effect immediately, it’s already pushing for several states to cut Medicaid payments to health care providers.
Some Republicans have expressed openness to extending tax credits, and many of their constituents have admitted to seeing steep hikes in premiums. But lawmakers from the Congress party argued that negotiations on health care take time, and suspending measures to get government funding are a more urgent priority.
Health insurance rates skyrocket millions without council action
a Records 24 million people As billions of dollars of subsidies are more affordable for many, the majority have signed up for insurance coverage through the ACA.
With expanded subsidies in place, some low-income enrollees can access healthcare without premiums, while high-income enrollees can pay less than 8.5% of their income. The eligibility of middle-class earners has also been expanded.
When the tax credit expires at the end of 2025, costs will skyrocket for subscribers across the income spectrum. According to KFF analysis, annual out-of-pocket premiums are estimated to increase by 114% (average $1,016).
Millions of people expected to lose Medicaid compensation without changing Trump’s big bill
Republican tax and spending bills passed this summer include more than a trillion dollar cuts Medicaid and Food Aid Over the next decade, it mainly by imposing new work requirements on those receiving assistance, and by transferring certain federal costs to the states.
Medicaid programs that serve low-income Americans are roughly enrolled 78 million adults and children. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office plans to make 10 million additional Americans uninsured over the next decade as a result of Republican laws between Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.
Democrats want to roll back Medicaid cuts in government funding measures, but Republicans argue that cuts are needed to reduce the federal deficit and eliminate what they call system waste and fraud.
Democrats say health care can’t wait
Democrats have argued that extensions of health subsidies need to be negotiated immediately as they are beginning to receive notifications of premium increases next year.
“In just a few days, tens of millions of Americans will be notified as Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credit,” House Democrat Leader said. Hakeem Jeffries He mentioned the stairs to the US Capitol on Tuesday.
He added that the higher healthcare costs facing millions of Americans are coming “in an environment where the cost of living is already too high.”
At the White House on Monday, Congressional Democratic leaders shared medical concerns with Trump. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer After the meeting, Trump said he “didn’t realize” that so many Americans would see an increase in healthcare costs.
Republicans first seek funds for suspension and later seek negotiations.
Republican leaders say they have handed Democrats noncontradictory suspension funding measures and claim Democrats have opted to shut down the government instead.
“We didn’t ask Democrats to swallow new Republican policies,” Senate majority leader said. John Tune He said after Tuesday’s failed vote. “We didn’t add any partisan riders. We asked Democrats to expand existing funding levels so that the Senate could continue the bipartisan spending work that we started, and Senate Democrats said no.”
Republican leaders have offered to negotiate with Democrats on the ACA health insurance subsidy, but have only voted to keep the government open until November 21st.
“I’m going to the Capitol right now and talk to Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats about premium support for the Affordable Care Act, but only after reopening the government.”
That may be easier said than done, as many Republicans in Congress still strongly oppose the expansion of the strengthened tax credits.
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Swenson reported from New York.
