By Chris Van Buskirk
Copyright bostonherald
Gov. Maura Healey blasted Republicans in Washington for not coming “forward in serious ways” to end a federal government shutdown that started when Democrats blocked legislation to fund services for seven weeks.
Democrats have argued that refusing to keep the federal government provided them a rare opportunity to use their power to force Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump’s administration to negotiate an extension of expanded health care tax credits.
Healey, a first-term Democrat who has built her national profile since taking office in January 2023, said health care premiums around the country are “going to double” if Congress does not extend expanded Affordable Care Act tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.
“Quite frankly, all (Republicans) needed to do was put forward something sensible, including the continuation of these tax credits for the ACA, these tax credits that allow millions and millions of Americans around this country to access health care in Republican and Democratic states,” Healey told reporters after an unrelated event in Lynn. “That’s what needs to happen. It’s a win for everybody.”
People are already receiving notices of premium increases for next year, and millions of people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act could face higher costs as expanded subsidies first put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic expire.
Democrats have also called on Republicans to reverse Medicaid cuts that were enacted as part of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” this summer and for the White House to promise it will not move to rescind spending passed by Congress.
Trump and fellow Republicans have said they will not entertain any changes to a funding bill, arguing that what they are putting forward is a stripped-down, “clean” bill that should be non-controversial.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier this week that “we can reopen it tomorrow” if enough Democrats break party lines.
But Congressional Democrats have pushed back.
“We are not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of everyday Americans,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier this week.
Healey said a “clean” funding bill would result in hundreds of thousands of people in Massachusetts and millions around the country losing their health care coverage.
“I don’t know why Donald Trump wants to take away health care from constituents in all these states, or to increase the cost for people,” Healey said. “… I hope cooler heads prevail, and I hope we can see them negotiate something and reopen government.”
Materials from the Associated Press were used in this report.
