Bipartisan Legislators Propose “Statement of Principles” to End Shutdown

For the first time, a handful of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have indicated a willingness to compromise on the standoff that led to what is now the longest federal government shutdown in this country’s history. The issue that Democrats say is keeping them from voting for a continuing resolution to fund the government is healthcare. Democrats want to see an extension of the ACA (Affordable Care Act tax credits), which are set to expire on December 31 of this year. If that happens, people insured through ACA could see their premiums increase dramatically. They also want to see cuts made to Medicaid reversed.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated Democrats will not relent on reopening the government until they are given a guarantee on extending the subsidies for health plans offered under Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Thus far, Republicans have proven equally intractable on this matter, insisting that a “clean” continuing resolution be passed with no partisan “add-ons.”U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts said in a recent press conference, “This is the only bipartisan solution on keeping the government open, the one we're offering.” However, a light at the end of the gridlock tunnel may have been seen Monday afternoon, November 3, when a group of bipartisan representatives, Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), released a statement of principles for lowering health care costs and temporarily extending and reforming the ACA enhanced premium tax credits (APTCs). These principles focus on a temporary extension with what the statement calls, “reasonable income caps and reform.”Bacon, Suozzi, Hurd and Gottheimer released the following quote:“Congress is gridlocked, and too many Americans have lost faith that we can work together. But here’s the truth: Democrats and Republicans can sit down, listen to one another, and find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering health care costs.“We may not agree on every ideal outcome, but we’ve identified a fair, reasonable path forward on the future of the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Compromise isn’t rocket science and it shouldn’t be treated like a weakness. “Our hope is that this shared statement of principles will inspire bipartisan collaboration across Washington and help get Congress back to work for the American people.”Only time will tell if this “statement of principles” will lead to the reopening of the government. Statement of Principles:Principles to Temporarily Extend and Reform Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits· Temporary: A two-year extension of APTCs· Income Cap: An income cap phased out between $200,000 and $400,000.· Reform: Guardrails to prevent improper payments of APTCso Prevent “Ghost Beneficiaries”: Requirements that ACA marketplaces confirm recipient eligibility with the Death Master Fileo Crack Down on Fraud: Establish a “preponderance of evidence” standard of proof to determine when an agent or broker should be allowed to continue operating in the ACA marketplaces.o Enhance Delivery Clarity: Requirements that marketplaces better notify recipients the value of APTCs they are receiving from the federal government. What is unknown is how many Senators will support the proposal. In a recent press conference, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts said, “So, once the Democrats reopen government, then we can have the negotiations on whatever they wish to discuss. If they want to discuss these Obamacare pandemic bonuses, that’s a discussion we could have after the reopened government.”

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