The Democrats won’t vote for the Continuing Resolution — the bill that would keep the government open — unless it extends the ACA (Obamacare) subsidies.
Equally important – and something Democrats need to drive home to voters — is that the start of Open Enrollment in ACA coverage for 2026 begins on November 1st. Without an extension by then, the options that millions of Americans will be left with will require higher premiums and less coverage.
And while Republicans say they can take care of the ACA subsidies after the bill is passed, it would be foolish to trust them. Republicans have been trying to cut health benefits for years and currently target Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will cut federal spending on Medicaid and CHIP by $1.02 trillion. The enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year and are unlikely to be extended as well, especially given Trump’s mission to undo everything Obama accomplished.
Small business owners, gig workers and farmers have already received notices of sharp increases in premiums for policies bought through the ACA should the subsidies not be extended. Those primarily at risk are Americans earning $60,000 to $105,000 annually.
A KFF analysis found that people who buy insurance from the ACA marketplace and receive financial assistance through enhanced premium tax credits would see their premiums rise by about 114% on average, from $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026.
There’s a deeper lesson here that can inform the Democrats’ messaging. Although Senator Schumer has exclaimed that “President Trump has taken a meat axe to our healthcare system. It’s vicious, it’s cruel, it’s mean. … One trillion dollars in healthcare cuts, 15 million people kicked off health insurance, decimating rural healthcare systems …,” his outrage omits compelling evidence backing his “meat axe’ accusation and statement that 15 million people were kicked off health insurance, decimating rural healthcare systems …” Voters must hear that Trump’s obscene tax cuts are part of a decades-long sinister plan to increase our deficits and national debt, and create shortfalls that will force the government to cut funding of Medicare and Medicaid.
More effective than Schumer’s accusation is that Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill essentially allows the wealthiest Americans to siphon billions from those safety nets to replace the estimated $4 trillion in lost tax revenues . Add that, although 11.8 million people will lose access to Medicaid and Medicare. But Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill makes sure Americans won’t feel the pain until after the midterms. The bill deceitfully provides that the loss of the health benefits won’t take effect until then, while the tax cuts for the wealthy will start this year.
Democrats need take a few lessons from Presidents Clinton’s and Obama’s campaign speeches.
