Orange County's Mixed Reactions to Government Reopening Deal
The recent deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has sparked a wave of criticism from many House Democrats, particularly those representing Orange County.
Bipartisan Agreement Sparks Skepticism
The bipartisan agreement, which aims to restart federal services and provide backpay to furloughed workers, has been met with skepticism due to its lack of immediate action on expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Representatives Express Dissatisfaction
Several Orange County Democratic representatives, including:
- Mike Levin
- Dave Min
- Linda Sánchez
- Derek Tran
have expressed their dissatisfaction with the deal. They argue that the promise of a future vote on health care subsidies is insufficient and does not address the urgent needs of their constituents.
"The deal does not lower health care costs or expand access." — Linda Sánchez
"I question the reliability of House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the issue to a vote." — Mike Levin
Opposition from California Senators
The deal also faced opposition from California's Democratic senators, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, who chose not to support it.
Meanwhile, Rep. Lou Correa of Santa Ana remained non-committal, awaiting further developments, and Rep. Young Kim, the sole Republican representative from Orange County, announced her support for the deal.
"Democrats are to blame for the shutdown." — Young Kim
Impact of Expiring Health Care Subsidies
The health care subsidies in question are crucial for low- and middle-income individuals who purchase insurance through state or federal marketplaces. Without an extension, the cost of coverage could more than double next year, according to a KFF analysis.
A recent KFF survey revealed strong public support for extending these subsidies, with 74% of respondents in favor. However, support among Republicans has declined since the last survey.
Potential Consequences
The potential impact of not extending these subsidies is significant:
- Approximately 600,000 Californians who obtain insurance through Covered California could lose their coverage.
- A nationwide figure of about 5 million could be affected.
This underscores the urgency of addressing the issue for many Americans.