Harry Enten: Republicans Face Political Fallout Over Expiring Obamacare Subsidies

Obamacare Subsidies and Public Opinion

• 📉 Obamacare subsidies are set to expire in a few weeks, potentially causing significant premium increases for millions of Americans.
• 📊 President Trump's approval rating on health care is described as "awful," with only 29% approval according to an AP-Norc poll, tying his lowest rating.
• ⚠️ Even 39% of Republicans disapprove of Trump's handling of health care, indicating a significant crack in the Republican base.
• 🎯 A clear majority of the American public wants the expiring ACA subsidies to be extended, with more than double the support for extension compared to letting them expire.

Political Blame and Republican Strategy

• 📌 If ACA subsidies are not extended, a vast majority (63%) of those enrolled in the ACA believe Trump or congressional Republicans will receive the blame.
• 🧩 The Republican argument that Democrats created the expiration date is not resonating with the American public.
• 💥 The issue is seen as uniting Democrats and dividing the Republican base, making it "awful politics for Republicans."

Senate Votes and Potential Compromise

• 🚫 The Senate rejected dueling bills to extend the Obamacare tax subsidies, with both Republican and Democratic versions failing.
• 🤝 Some Republicans did support the Democratic bill, signaling a potential for compromise, and President Trump has signaled openness to working with Democrats on health care.

Democratic Perspective on Health Care Affordability

• 🗣️ Senator Raphael Warnock highlights that Republicans have had 15 years to propose an alternative to the ACA and have failed, instead focusing on tax cuts for billionaires.
• 💸 He emphasizes that people need help now with rising costs, including health care premiums, utility bills, and Christmas gifts, contrasting this with Trump's perceived lack of solutions.
• 📢 Democrats are ready and willing to work with Republicans on health care reform to address the affordability crisis facing American families.

Republican Counterpoint on ACA

• ⚖️ Republicans argue that the expiration date was a Democratic-created sunset provision and that the current situation is a result of the Democratic health care regime.
• 🧐 They suggest Democrats created a scheme to pay insurance companies and are now asking Republicans to fix their