The Shutdown is over but the battle over Healthcare is not

By Jonathan Roman

After a historic 43 day shutdown, the Government reopened on Wednesday night. After eight centrist Democratic Senators voted with Republicans to fund the Government. Despite Democrats holding off on opening the government over Affordable Care act tax subsidies, which expire at the end of the year. 

The Democrats who voted to fund the government were guaranteed a future vote on the subsidies in December, yet Republicans did not guarantee they would vote to extend the subsidies. Leaving the question what was this all for? 

Republicans may be able to say the government is reopened, and the eight Democrats who voted to fund the government may say that they negotiated with Republicans in a bi-partison manner to reopen the government yet at what cost. What will happen to the 22 million Americans who are dependent on the tax subsidies to receive healthcare, who can struggle as it is to get by, and make ends meet.

As their future remains in limbo, to whatever Washington decides who will guarantee that these Americans receive coverage.  This moment requires more than partisan talking points, and a real address to healthcare in this courtny.

The American people should not take the brunt of political games by Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have had 10 years to produce a healthcare policy, yet the closest we are to one is the President's “concepts of a plan”. In spite of these tax subsidies hurting voters in their states, many who are on the Affordable Care Act. 

And with no policy to address healthcare from the GOP, Republicans ultimately will take the blame when 22 million Americans are stripped of their healthcare, with nothing to replace it. The Americans deserve better than partisan fights over healthcare and a real substantive proposal for the rising cost of healthcare.