President Trump expressed frustration with Democrats and health insurance companies on Saturday amid ongoing negotiations to reopen the government.
As deadlines for Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits approach, Trump commented on rising health insurance costs, suggesting that money currently going to insurance companies should instead go directly to consumers to help them secure better health care.
He stated, “I propose to Senate Republicans that we take the hundreds of billions of dollars that are currently being sent to money-siphoning insurance companies to salvage the poor health care provided by Obamacare and send them directly to Americans, so they can buy better health care for themselves and have money left over.” He shared this on his social media platform.
Trump continued, proposing to “take it from the big bad insurance companies and give it to the people” while reiterating his call for Republicans to “abolish” the filibuster rule.
He blamed Democrats for damaging the economy, urging Republicans to act decisively. “Stop the filibuster!” he added in another post.
Additionally, Trump attributed the Republican Party’s recent electoral losses to a hesitance from its leaders to eliminate the filibuster.
In comments to reporters, he said, “If Democrats are going to do it, Republicans should do it before they have a chance,” believing this would significantly enhance their election prospects.
Open enrollment for ACA plans commenced earlier this month but without subsidies that could help low-income families afford insurance. Republicans have long criticized the shortcomings of the ACA, which was enacted in 2010, and have proposed ideas for a new health care initiative.
As Democrats push for a resolution on the expiring health care subsidies, efforts to pass a continuing resolution (CR) have stalled, with the Senate needing 60 votes to advance a bill due to filibuster rules.
On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York introduced a plan aimed at ending the government shutdown after considerable discussions among Democrats. The proposed measures included extending enhanced ACA tax credits for a year, implementing a short-term CR, and linking a three-bill minibus to earlier bipartisan agreements.
Schumer remarked, “Democrats say we have to deal with the health care crisis, but Republicans have repeatedly said they won’t negotiate lower health care costs until the government reopens,” advocating for a compromise.
However, Republicans quickly dismissed the proposal.
Due to the stalemate, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.S.D.) opted to keep lawmakers in Washington for the weekend but noted uncertainty about what the House would consider voting on.
Thune is also considering a CR extension that could extend the funding deadline into January.
