3 takeaways on skyrocketing health care costs

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For the last two months, @bychrisvazquez has covered skyrocketing health care costs that millions of Americans face going into the new year. Here’s what he’s learned.

First, discontent with political leaders is running high. When the government shut down, affordable health care was at the center of lawmakers’ fight over funding the government. Democrats wanted any funding legislation to include an extension on tax credits for people on Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. Republicans refused. Then, a group of Senate Democrats broke ranks to reopen the government without extending the credits. People who’ve voted Republican before have shown frustration with GOP leaders for their refusal to extend the credits, and liberals and leftists alike have derided the Democrats who didn’t hold the line after the country endured the longest government shutdown in US history.

Second, the credits expiring will have widespread impacts. Although the millions of Americans receiving the credits now will be most directly impacted, others will feel ripple effects. Private insurance is set to get more expensive, and other people not receiving the subsidies also face higher costs and more limited coverage.

Third, in addition to the massive humanitarian toll that limiting access to affordable health care will take, the economy will also suffer. Many small business owners—people who Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, have called “the backbone of our economy”—expressed fear and anxiety over the rising costs of their marketplace plans as their subsidies are set to expire.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to force a vote on a bill extending the credits this week. It likely doesn’t have enough support to pass.

That’s a wrap on my series with @motherjonesmag about expiring ACA subsidies. Check out past videos with my face on both of our feeds to revisit our in-depth coverage, and thanks for watching!

#politics #healthcare

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