Schumer asks why Democrats should believe GOP will solve expiring health insurance tax credits in November
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked why Democrats should believe Republicans when they say they will negotiate on the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits once the government reopens.
"If you're not ready to solve it now, how do we know you're going to solve it 45 days from now?" Schumer said.
Republicans' proposal would fund the government until Nov. 21. Democrats argue that pushes negotiations too close to the end of the year, when the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces expire. The subsidies were originally passed in 2021 during the pandemic and extended in 2022 for another three years.
There's urgency in extending the tax credits now, Democrats say, because open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and Americans face skyrocketing prices without the subsidies.
Democrats' plan would make the tax credits permanent.
"Insurers are waiting around to set rates for next year. They're doing it right now, not three months from now," Schumer, a New York Democrat, said.
I still have very little faith in the congressional Democrats and will not be surprised when/if they cave... But at the moment I'm pleasantly surprised that Schumer is saying the right things.