Moving Past the Shutdown: A Call for Bipartisan Health Care Solutions
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire is urging lawmakers to move past the recent government shutdown and focus on addressing the pressing issue of health care costs.
A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation
Shaheen believes that lawmakers need to stop the blame game and find common ground to tackle the rising costs of health care. She points out that the recent shutdown occurred because key figures, including Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson, failed to address this critical issue.
The Shutdown and Its Aftermath
During the shutdown, eight Senate Democrats, including Shaheen, broke away from their party to negotiate with Republicans. They secured a deal to end the shutdown, with a promise to vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits next month. These credits help millions of Americans afford their health insurance premiums.
The Urgency of Extending Tax Credits
Democrats now have a limited window to push forward with legislation to extend these tax credits. The big question is what this legislation will look like and whether it can gain enough support to pass.
Finding Common Ground
Shaheen suggests focusing on areas of agreement, such as:
- Capping the income of those who receive premium tax credits
- Reducing fraud within the program
She emphasizes the urgency of extending these credits to help Americans afford their health care.
Bipartisan Efforts and Differences
Shaheen has been working with Republicans, including Sen. Bill Cassidy, to find a bipartisan solution. However, Cassidy's plan to lower health care costs differs from Shaheen's approach. His plan involves giving Americans money to offset high deductibles, a feature of lower-cost ACA policies.
Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions
Shaheen is skeptical about implementing significant reforms in the short term. She believes that while short-term solutions are possible, long-term strategies are also necessary to address the overall cost of health care.
