The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Thursday’s big Senate votes on healthcare
Today marks a critical juncture for the Senate as it conducts test votes on competing healthcare proposals from both Democrats and Republicans, aimed at tackling the skyrocketing healthcare premiums set to hit consumers at the end of the year. The Senate’s session kicks off at 11:30 a.m. ET, with the first vote focusing on a Republican plan that does not renew the expiring Obamacare subsidies. Instead, this GOP proposal seeks to empower individuals to utilize health savings accounts (HSAs) for purchasing coverage, a strategy Republicans argue will lead to a significant reduction in healthcare costs. However, this plan is unlikely to gain traction, as it requires 60 votes to pass, a threshold that neither party is expected to meet.
Following the GOP vote, the Senate will shift its attention to the Democratic proposal, which aims to renew the expiring Obamacare subsidies for an additional three years without implementing any reforms. This vote is a response to a coalition of Democratic senators who previously played a key role in ending the government shutdown and have now called for a healthcare vote before the year concludes. Although the outcome of these votes seems predetermined, with both proposals likely to fail, they serve as a platform for lawmakers to express their positions on the pressing issue of healthcare affordability. The potential failure of these votes could ignite a sense of urgency within the Senate, prompting lawmakers to confront the rising premiums more seriously as the Christmas deadline looms.
If both votes do indeed fail, it may lead to a legislative impasse, leaving consumers vulnerable to premium increases starting January 1. Alternatively, the situation could compel Congress to take decisive action, particularly as many lawmakers, especially Republicans, are wary of leaving for the holidays without addressing this critical issue. With the midterm elections approaching, the notion of “affordability” is becoming increasingly central to political discourse, placing additional pressure on lawmakers to find a viable solution. As the clock ticks down towards the holidays, there is a possibility that the Senate might finally buckle down and prioritize healthcare reform, particularly in light of the impending premium hikes that threaten to impact millions of Americans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtjV0wNrx3c
Today is the pivotal day for the
Senate on healthcare
.
The Senate takes test votes on
competing Democratic and Republican proposals
to address astronomical healthcare premium spikes at the end of the year. But it’s about the math. Both need 60 yeas. Neither will pass.
Everything starts around 11:30 a.m. ET.
The Senate votes first on a
GOP plan
. It does not renew the expiring
Obamacare subsidies
. It simply allows people to use health savings accounts (HSAs) to shop for coverage. Republicans believe this will dramatically bring down healthcare costs.
MODERATE REPUBLICANS STAGE OBAMACARE REBELLION AS HEALTH COST FRUSTRATIONS ERUPT IN HOUSE
The Senate then pivots to
the Democratic plan.
It renews the expiring Obamacare subsidies for three years without reforms.
Today’s votes are part of a demand by a coalition of
Democratic senators
who helped end the government shutdown. They requested a vote (not necessarily a fix) on healthcare before the end of the year.
It’s possible there could be other votes related to healthcare as well today.
COLLINS, MORENO UNVEIL OBAMACARE PLAN AS REPUBLICANS SEARCH FOR SOLUTION TO EXPIRING SUBSIDIES
So what happens if both votes fail?
It’s possible that could spark the Senate to get serious about addressing the spiking subsidies. They’ve done their posturing and have two weeks until Christmas. Lawmakers often accomplish the most
legislatively
when they face a deadline — especially before the holidays.
It’s also possible
Congress does nothing
and the premiums go up on Jan. 1. This is a deep impasse and a hard one to resolve quickly.
That said, many lawmakers — especially Republicans — are leery of leaving town for the holidays without addressing this issue. Republicans know they face a particular vulnerability here
before the midterms
. Especially since “affordability” is the buzzword of the day. That could make lawmakers buckle down over the next two weeks — especially after today’s plans fail.
