Democrats are pressuring Republicans to extend billions of dollars in federal tax credits that have dramatically lowered premiums and contributed to record-low rates of uninsured Americans.
Hours into the federal government shutdown, Julio Fuentes stood steps from the U.S. Capitol to deliver an urgent message about the Hispanic voting bloc that helped the GOP swoop into power last year.
Those votes, he cautioned, are at risk if Congress doesn’t pass a law to preserve low premiums on Affordable Care Act marketplace plans for the roughly 4.7 million people living in his home state of Florida who are enrolled in the coverage.
“Hispanic voters helped return Donald Trump to the White House”, said Fuentes, the CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Republican leaders would do right by their constituents to keep coverage affordable, and they will remember that heading into the midterms.”
With less than a month to go before many Americans pick next year’s health insurance plan, Democrats in Congress are holding up government funding to pressure Republicans into extending billions of dollars in federal tax credits that have in recent years dramatically lowered premiums and contributed to record-low rates of uninsured Americans.
Democrats see the high-stakes standoff as a chance to talk about affordable health care as millions of Americans – including those enrolled in coverage through workplace or Medicare – brace for higher costs next year. Party leaders, hoping to win back support from some of the working-class supporters who have drifted away from them, have used the moment to remind voters of the recent cuts Republicans have approved to some health care programs.
Republicans are outwardly exuding confidence that the approach will not find traction, reminding the public that Democrats have forced a shutdown.
