Remembering a Government Shutdown Over Obamacare
Twelve years ago this week, the federal government was shut down due to a pivotal budget conflict surrounding Obamacare.
In 2013, conservative lawmakers in the House and Senate, notably Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, insisted they wouldn’t support President Barack Obama’s budget unless key parts of the controversial health care law were dismantled. They cautioned that Americans would face rising premiums and a decrease in options for insurance.
It turns out they had a point. A decade later, as those warnings have materialized, the aftermath is still painful. While Democrats have consistently remained unified on health care issues, Republicans appear to be avoiding confronting the ongoing challenges.
A Missed Opportunity
During the 2013 clash, Republicans held the advantage. They had control of the House and could have easily passed a budget devoid of Obamacare. At that time, the law was unpopular, websites were malfunctioning, and countless people were losing their insurance.
Democrats had already suffered losses of over 60 seats and a significant decline in state-level power as a consequence of backing the 2009 legislation. Although the most severe effects hadn’t fully set in, costs were rapidly escalating, with premiums soaring by 47% in the first year alone.
Instead of pushing back against the Democrats, GOP leaders became embroiled in internal conflicts. After a lengthy Senate filibuster led by Cruz aimed at repealing the funding, the Republican establishment shifted its attention inward.
John McCain criticized Cruz on the Senate floor for his historical comparisons, describing it as a “huge disgrace” to veterans. Senator Mitch McConnell deemed the tactics “not a wise strategy.” Meanwhile, John Cornyn warned that a shutdown would be futile.
Rather than confronting the Democrats over the unsustainable health care system, Republicans focused on the process. On October 17, they capitulated, allowing Obamacare to become ingrained.
Back then, I noted:
If we’re willing to give up on battling Obamacare in the budget, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see it repealed, even partially. By 2017, more than 30 million people will be dependent on it, whether they want to be or not. Even if it’s barely functioning, it will be the only option available. It can’t simply vanish.
That turned out to be accurate.
A Continuing Struggle
Fast forward a dozen years, and despite holding complete control of the government at one point, Republicans still couldn’t repeal the law. Now, even with a new trifecta in power, they’re grappling with Biden’s expansive agenda.
In theory, Democrats should be at a disadvantage today. They lack control over Congress and are resorting to threats of a shutdown to preserve healthcare subsidies that went unvoted for.
Yet, they’ve cleverly recast the debate around “health care costs,” an issue that stems directly from Obamacare. The GOP remains largely quiet, which only amplifies the false narratives.
Democrats are banking on the idea that voters have forgotten why premiums skyrocketed or why nearly everyone enrolled now gets subsidies. They seem to hope the Republican Party won’t articulate how Obamacare has made health care increasingly unaffordable, tightening the financial squeeze on families.
Even the Washington Post recently acknowledged, “The real issue is that the Affordable Care Act was never truly affordable.”
A New Chance
For Republicans, there’s now a chance to revisit what they missed a decade back. With control over both the White House and Congress, they could push for complete abolition and promote market-based reforms.
They could remind the public that we’re paying premium prices for inadequate coverage, dealing with high deductibles and frequent claim denials, all while federal subsidies feed a bloated health care system. It’s essential to expose the reality: a monopoly masked as compassion.
Rather than pleading with Democrats for temporary solutions, Republicans should confront the deeper issues head-on. Simply tweaking the existing framework won’t improve medical care; it needs to be liberated from excessive government interference.
Back in 2011, Republicans felt powerless against Obamacare. Now, the Democratic Party isn’t in a strong position either. Yet, they’re expressing concerns about the costs tied to their creation.
Second chances in politics are rare. Republicans have received one. It’s critical they make it count.
