Rep. Khanna Discusses ACA Subsidies and Health Care Crisis

During a recent segment on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) expressed that the upcoming expiration of ACA subsidies is not indicative of a health care crisis caused by Democrats. He emphasized that the real crisis lies in the fact that many Americans lack health insurance, with over 35 million facing significant medical debt and young individuals remaining uninsured. Khanna noted that Democrats aim to “strengthen” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but they were unable to secure a permanent subsidy extension partly due to Senate negotiations involving figures like Kyrsten Sinema.

Co-host Pamela Brown raised a question regarding the impending expiration of these medical subsidies. She mentioned that when Democrats gained control of Congress and implemented the Anti-Inflation Act, this deadline was established. This led her to ask whether the situation could be framed as a crisis stemming from Khanna’s party.

Khanna responded firmly, stating, “No, the crisis is that we don’t have health insurance in this country, that more than 35 million people will have massive medical debt, that young people are uninsured.” He characterized the ACA as a significant achievement despite ongoing efforts by Republicans to repeal it, often motivated by the name “Obamacare.” He highlighted that although their goal is to enhance the ACA and eventually move towards single-payer health care, the current priority is to prevent insurance premiums from skyrocketing. He also acknowledged a shift among some Republicans, like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who now support extending ACA tax credits.

Browns followed up, pointing out that Democrats had set the deadline on the ACA subsidies. She pressed whether it had been a misstep for the Democrats not to advocate for an extension of these subsidies earlier, thereby avoiding the current situation.

Khanna acknowledged that there were members of the party advocating for a permanent extension. He explained that while President Biden worked diligently for an extension, he faced challenges such as a lack of Republican support and negotiations in the Senate. He reflected on the broader political landscape, mentioning a historical pattern where one party seeks to broaden access to health care and reduce costs, while the other party resists providing benefits to the working class. He concluded by noting a growing recognition among some Republicans that substantial health care reform is necessary to alleviate the financial burden on working-class Americans.