On Monday, October 6th, President Donald Trump stated that he is still willing to reach an improved healthcare insurance agreement with the Democratic Party. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer responded afterwards.
In the Oval Office on Monday, the President criticized the healthcare insurance subsidy issue that led to the government shutdown, calling it a “waste” of funds, but also reiterated his willingness to reach a healthcare insurance agreement with the Democratic Party.
President Trump said, “We are negotiating with Democrats, and there may be some very good results in healthcare. I hope to see an agreement reached that achieves quality healthcare.”
The President did not reveal the specific details of the negotiations and criticized Democrats for shutting down the government because they wanted to provide healthcare funds for illegal immigrants.
He also mentioned that the scope of any agreement should be broader than the extension of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act that Democrats are seeking, as he believes the current subsidy terms represent a “waste” of “billions of dollars.”
“The subsidies are too much,” Trump said. “We could have better healthcare than we have now.”
Later on Monday night, the Senate voted again on a short-term funding bill supported by the House, aiming to reopen the government until November 21st, but Democrats seemed unlikely to support the bill. The bill needs to reach a threshold of 60 votes, requiring at least 8 Democratic Senators to support it.
The focus of the dispute between the two parties is the Affordable Care Act. Democrats are trying to use the government shutdown as an opportunity to ensure a permanent extension of healthcare subsidies to prevent premiums from soaring under the program. They hope to extend the subsidies initially issued by the Biden administration and set to expire at the end of the year.
Republicans, on the other hand, want to first provide funding to keep the government operating for 7 weeks at current spending levels. After that, Congress would discuss healthcare issues.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denied on Monday the President’s statement that Republicans and Democrats are negotiating on healthcare issues.
In a statement, Schumer said, “Trump’s claim is not true – but if he is finally ready to work with Democrats, we will sit down and negotiate.”
He added, “For months, Democrats have been urging President Trump and Republican members of Congress to sit down with us and work together to provide lower cost and better healthcare for the American people.”
Schumer stated, “If the President and Republicans are finally ready to sit down and do something about healthcare for American families, Democrats will support – and be prepared to implement.”
It is reported that since the government shutdown last Wednesday, leaders of both parties in the Senate have not engaged in direct dialogue but have continued to communicate through public statements.