VIDEO

IN THIS EPISODE

Den explains that the government shutdown is primarily a “healthcare shutdown,” focused on debating and discussing subsidies for individuals in the Obamacare marketplace. He reveals a “trap” set by the Biden administration in COVID-era legislation that temporarily and dramatically increased these subsidies, making coverage “free or next to free” for many people, but set them to sunset at the end of the year. This move forces Republicans to either increase the federal deficit by keeping the enhanced subsidies or face blame from Democrats for increasing the cost of healthcare when the subsidies revert to their original levels. The political maneuvering is aimed at elevating healthcare as a top-of-mind issue ahead of the next midterm elections, as historically, the “blue team wins those elections” when healthcare is the priority.

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