Democrats Frontliners Press Leaders On ACA Time Bomb

A group of more than Two Dozen vulnerable Democrats from Swing Districts, is sounding the alarm about a Major Obamacare Shortfall, set to kick in right as Voters head to the Polls this Fall, a sleeper issue for the Party that comes atop soaring Inflation, Supply-Chain problems, worries about Infant Baby Formula, and spiking Crime.

In a New letter, the group led by Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL, 14th District), is asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th District) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), to use Reconciliation to fast-track Legislation extending Subsidies used to Offset Costs of Insurance Plans sold on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Marketplace.

The Credits were passed about a year ago through Democrats’ initial Pandemic Relief package, the American Rescue Plan, and lowered Premium Costs significantly, leading to a whopping 2.5 million New Enrollees, in a single year, and setting a record with 14.5 million People signing up.

Without an Extension, about 13 million Lower-Income Americans will see their Premiums Spike, — some by hundreds of dollars a month. In fact, according to the letter, Obamacare Enrollees have received Notices of the looming Price hike in at least One State, and other States have shared data demonstrating how much they’ll have to Increase costs, including:

California - where Premiums could jump as much as 71%.
Minnesota - which is staring down a possible 40% hike.
Nevada - which could see a 60% increase.
Vermont - whose Residents are looking at a more than 24% increase.

While these Price Hikes won’t kick in until 2023, Enrollees will receive Notice of them right around Election Time, an unfortunate turn of events for Frontline Democrats already battling difficult Political headwinds.

“We cannot allow the progress we have made to be temporary”, the gGoup writes in its letter today. “We must make lower out-of-pocket costs and expanded coverage a permanent pillar of our health care system, and reconciliation is our only chance to get this done.”

While Schumer has been meeting with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), to see if they can jump-start Reconciliation talks after the death of Build Back Better, many Democrats have already Lost hope there’s a Deal to be had. One thing the group does have going for them, however, is that in the past, Manchin has expressed interest in shoring up the ACA.

Especially if it also includes things like: Prescription Drugs Pricing reforms, Deficit Reduction, and Corporate Tax changes, tricky Policy Changes that could complicate a quick and easy Fix to the ACA issue.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker