Sen. Britt: GOP Open to ACA Subsidy Talks Post-Shutdown

TL/DR –

The Republican Party is open to negotiations on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, despite believing the ACA is broken, according to Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” she argued that Democrats need to end the government shutdown before discussions can proceed. Britt also expressed concern over the distribution of ACA premiums, suggesting they should be allocated more responsibly and not go to millionaires.

Republican Senator Katie Britt Signals Openness to Discuss ACA Subsidies Despite Concerns

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) seen as flawed, Senator Katie Britt signaled that Republicans are willing to discuss ACA subsidies during an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan”. However, she emphasized that Democrats need to prioritize voting to end the government shutdown.

“The underlying issue is the brokenness of Obamacare,” said Britt, pointing to the 2021 premiums, which even millionaires have received in some cases. “We’ve got to be more and more responsible with taxpayer dollars. And if you want these health care systems to even be able to work, then we have to have a larger conversation.”

She pointed out the contradiction in worrying about people not being able to afford healthcare while also denying federal workers their paycheck during the shutdown. She urged Democrats to be honest about this discrepancy, reopen the government, and then engage in meaningful conversations.

Britt highlighted the impact of the shutdown on numerous individuals, including military servicemen and veterans, who are failing to receive their paychecks. “Democrats need to come to the table and do the right thing,” she said, recounting the many stories she had heard during her recent state-wide travels.

Reaffirming her openness to dialogue, Britt noted on CNN’s “State of the Union”, “I’m absolutely open to having [a] conversation, but we’re not going to extend a program that is wrought with fraud, waste, and abuse. There would have to be adjustments to this program to make it make sense for the American people.”

The ACA subsidies in question were first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according to The Hill. However, they are set to expire at the end of this year, which would result in significantly increased premiums.

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