In the ongoing government shutdown saga, Democrats continue to cast themselves as defenders of affordable health insurance.
Without an extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies past their scheduled expiration at the end of this year, they argue, health insurance premiums will skyrocket in 2026.
As Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., recently put it, “This government shut down is all about whether Republicans will get away with raising health care premiums . . . “
Premiums have been on a steady upward trajectory for more than a decade.
Obamacare’s own diktats are why premiums have risen.
Democrats have tried to obscure this reality with ever more taxpayer-funded premium subsidies.
Republicans must not bail out Democrats yet again for Obamacare’s expensive health policy mistakes.
[…]If premiums rise next year, it will be because Democrats effectively outlawed affordable coverage 15 years ago with Obamacare.
Now they’re holding the federal government hostage to avoid responsibility for a mess they made.
— Sally Pipes, Oct. 15 Newsmax column