ICYMI: On MSNBC, CNN and Fox News Today, Shaheen Makes Case for Coming Together to Reopen the Government and Extend ACA Tax Credits that Lower Health Care Costs

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), lead author of bicameral legislation that would permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, took to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News today to discuss the need to work across the aisle to reopen the government and extend the soon-expiring health insurance tax credits that lower health care costs for millions of Americans. Shaheen spoke about her conversations with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the interest in finding a deal on the ACA tax credits.

During the interviews, Shaheen warned that if Republicans fail to join Democrats in pushing for an extension, tens of millions of Americans will see their premiums double and four million people will lose their health insurance altogether. The Senator reiterated that it’s in the country’s best interest for Congress to act, highlighting that more than 70% of Americans who rely on the tax credits live in states that President Trump won, and 56% live in Republican Congressional districts. Earlier today, Shaheen touted a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll showing that an overwhelming majority of Americans –including 57% of MAGA Republicans – support extending ACA enhanced premium tax credits.

Key quotes from Shaheen during MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera Reports:

• “The Democrats continue to believe that it's important that we provide some reassurance to people who are set to see their premiums for their health insurance rise dramatically by November 1st. There's real urgency about addressing that issue. Premiums are expected to double for most people who are on health insurance and so far, the Republican's position has been that ‘We're not willing to take that up. We're not willing to discuss how we get to a resolution until the government is reopened.’ I hope that we decide we can do both, because I think it's in America’s and the American people’s interests to ensure that we reopen the government, but also that we don't kick, 4 million people off of their health insurance and double the premiums for another 24 million.”

• “I would hope that at some level, we've got to trust each other if we're going to get anything done. And, sadly, there has been on both sides of the aisle an unwillingness to try and find common ground to see how we can work together. And that's what we've got to do, because making sure that people have access to health care at a cost they can afford is fundamental to people being able to lead productive lives.”

Key quotes from Shaheen during CNN’s Inside Politics:

• “We just heard from the Kaiser Family Foundation that even 57% of MAGA voters say they want to see these tax credits extended. So, this is not a Democrat or a Republican issue. It's an issue that affects everybody who needs access to health care – and that's been the sticking point.”

• “In order to find that middle ground, it takes people on both sides of the aisle. And I think the good news is that people are still talking.”

• “It's unfortunate that President Trump didn't call Congressional leaders together until the Monday, you know, about 24 hours before funding was due to run out, because this kind of a negotiation takes everybody at the table. And the fact that he is now, talking about firing more federal employees, which he's really been doing since day one when he took office, but that he's talking about halting funding that's going to blue states, states that have Democratic elected officials. That's not what the American people want to see, what the American people want to see is that we're going to come together, that we are going to address the challenges that face this country.”

Key quotes from Fox News’ America Reports:

• “I think the reasonable position here is that we should open up government, and we should be able to make sure that people can afford their health insurance. And so I'm hopeful that saner heads can come together and reach an agreement that allows us to do both.”

• “You know, I was a Governor. When I was Governor, I worked with my Republican legislature to figure out how we could address the issues facing the people of New Hampshire. That's what we need in Washington. And I would like to see leadership on both sides of the aisle coming together to figure out how to get this done. And I think getting the President to engage with the Congressional leadership is also important.”

• “The credits don't expire until December, but the reality is that insurance companies are now setting their rates this month. People are going to start to enroll in health insurance November the 1st. And what we know, if we do nothing, that we've heard a number of studies that have pointed out, including the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, that say the cost of premiums are going to double for most of the people who are getting those credits, and that's a real problem for people because they won't be able to afford their health insurance. And it's a problem for people in red states and blue states. You know, over 70% of people who benefit from these premium tax credits are in states that President Trump won in the election. So I think there's a lot of interest on both sides of the aisle and what we can do to address this, because everybody understands it's a problem.”

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