OTHER VIEWS: Trump must address skyrocketing health insurance costs

As the federal government shutdown continues, Democrats have been building their case with a surprising number of Republicans who are coming to realize the crisis in health insurance costs will begin hitting Americans soon.

Onetime Democratic nemesis GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly come out against the GOP shutdown strategy saying on X that her constituents face a doubling of their health insurance premium if tax credits under the ACA are not extended for those who buy insurance on the individual market.

"I'm absolutely disgusted that health insurance premiums will DOUBLE if the tax credits expire this year … Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!!"

Democrats hailed the surprising revelations from Greene.

Greene's concerns show the health care issue cuts across party lines and ideological spectrums. That's because it's the one thing all Americans need.

Democrats continue to fall under criticism on the shutdown, but a recent poll still showed most people (54%) blame Republicans for the shutdown.

Democrats, would do well to propose another meeting with Trump or the Senate Republican majority.

The evidence is mounting that not only did Republicans not extend the health care tax credits while they extended tax credits for the wealthy in the so-called "beautiful bill," they cut the health care credits at the worst time.

Health care premiums are expected to rise 20% for a number of Americans while doubling for many, according to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Costs are on the rise. Not only are prescription drug prices rising, but use of specialty expensive drugs for weight loss and other ailments are increasing as well.

"We're in a period of uncertainty in every health insurance market right now, which is something we haven't seen in a very long time," said Larry Levitt, an executive vice president at the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care.

And even Medicare costs will be going up due to provisions in the "big bill" that automatically triggered cuts to Medicare spending.

Total health benefit costs are going to rise 6.5%, the highest since 2010, according to Mercer, a human resources consulting company.

The market selling Medicare supplement plans is shrinking in Minnesota, going from 16 to 13 plans.

Prescription drug plans are dropping from 14 to 11. And monthly premiums for these plans are doubling from $51 per month to $101 per month, according to a Star Tribune report.

In the individual market, accessed through the marketplace MNsure, premiums are expected to rise 22%.

The state Department of Commerce approved rate increases in excess of that, however, with the average premium increases for Medica (+30.76%), UCare (+27.48%), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (+18.7%), HealthPartners (+13.31% to +19.15%) and Quartz Health Plan (+7.4%), according to the Star Tribune.

Some 24 million Americans buy insurance through the ACA including farmers, ranchers and small businesses.

Companies are pulling out of the Medicare Advantage plan markets as costs skyrocket and hurt profits.

Much of the shutdown blame can be laid at the feet of the GOP as they have the ability to open the government controlling all three branches.

They only need to work with Democrats on a tax credit plan that is not only bipartisan, but gives a break to Americans trying to afford health care that's getting more expensive.

Not extending the health care premium tax credits will be disastrous to the health of Americans, will further weaken the overall health care market and raise costs for everyone.

— The Mankato (Minnesota) Free Press