Vt. officials react to the government shutdown Healthcare tax credits main point of contention

BY MARK R ONDEAU Bennington Banner

Members of Vermont's Congressional delegation have highlighted lack of movement on healthcare costs as the reason for the lack of a deal on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded.

Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by the midnight deadline Wednesday morning.

At issue are tax credits that have made health insurance through the Afford-able Care Act more affordable for millions of people since the COVID-19 pandemic. The credits are set to expire at the end of the year if Congress doesn't extend them - which would more than double what subsidized enrollees currently pay for health insurance premiums, according an analysis by KFF, an independent policy research group.

Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat, said in a press release that his office will remain open during the shutdown to help Vermonters.

According to Welch, shutdowns are damaging to the economy and to the foundation of democracy - it "is a

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failure of the legislative and executive branch to work together and do the most basic function of our job," he wrote.

"Past shutdowns have been avoided and solved by a negotiation between Republicans and Democrats, but this time is different," Welch stated. "President Trump has made it clear he has no interest in working with us, telling Congressional Republicans, 'Don't even bother dealing with them.'" The health care system is too expensive and broken, he wrote.

"Democrats are fighting to protect the health care of American families who rely on the Afford-able Care Act for their coverage. If we don't act and extend these tax credits, premiums will more than double, and millions of people will lose access to care," he stated. "We must work together to stop patients from falling off this health care cliff before Open Enrollment begins. If not, this will be disastrous, whether folks are represented by a Republican or a Democrat."

On Tuesday night, as the shutdown loomed, Vermont Rep. Becca Balint issued a statement.

"Republicans once again chose to turn their back on Americans' health care. If they wanted to keep the government open, they would have returned to DC and taken a seat at the negotiating table with Democrats to protect health care for working Americans," she stated. "I won't just stand by and support their plans to rip away health care from millions. This is not what the American people want."

Balint cited a report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, which confirmed that Republicans' health care plan would strip coverage from 15 million Americans and send premiums soaring for millions more.

In a video posted to social media on Tuesday night, Sen. Bernie Sand-ers, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, also focused on health care.

"What this government shutdown is all about is whether Republicans are going to be able to get away with raising health insurance premiums by 75 percent. Yes, 75 percent on average for 20 million Americans," he said. "And in addition to that throwing 15 million people off the healthcare they have by making devastating cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act."

He said that according to people who have studied the issue "tens of thousands of Americans are going to die unnecessarily."

"You know what? I am not going to support that. And that is why the Republicans have got to sit down," Sanders said. "They have got to negotiate. And they've got to protect the healthcare needs of the American people."

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott did not issue a statement on Wednesday after the shutdown went into effect, but did send a letter over the weekend to Senators in both parties urging against a shutdown. As the Senate needs 60 votes to pass a continuing budget resolution, and the Senate is divided 53-47, with Republicans in the majority, bipartisan agreement is necessary.

The governor wrote that over the past three decades the threat of shutdowns and reliance on continuing resolutions have become too common.

"Each time, they disrupt essential services that millions of Americans rely on - services that transcend politics. From paying troops and supporting veterans, to caring for seniors and ensuring public health and safety, these are responsibilities an overwhelming majority of American citizens expect their government to meet," Scott's statement reads.

"As a Republican in Vermont, who has served in both the legislative and executive branches, I know how difficult it can be to reach across the aisle to build trust and cooperation, and how much it irritates activists and ideologues in both parties," Scott states. "I also know it can be done well and that it delivers better results for the people we serve. Every state in our union manages to build and pass a balanced budget. The United States Congress can do the same, if you choose to rise above the partisan battles to prioritize this core constitutional duty."

VT. FEDERAL WORKERS

According to a press release from the Vermont Department of Labor, federal employees in Vermont who may be deemed "non-essential" and furloughed due to the temporary federal government shutdown may file for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits beginning the first day of the shutdown.

"The Department recognizes that a federal shutdown can cause uncertainty and stress for many Vermonters employed by the federal government," said Kendal Smith, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. "Our goal is to ensure that those who have been impacted understand their options, know what documentation will be required, and feel prepared to access unemployment benefits if eligible."

Federal workers impacted by a shutdown have up to two weeks from the start of the shutdown to file an unemployment claim. Individuals can apply for UI by calling the UI Claims Center at 1-877-2143330 (Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm / Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm). Calling later in the week will not affect eligibility for benefits.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report

Mark Rondeau can be reached at [email protected]

The U.S. government has shut down as lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal on Capitol Hill. KAYLA BARTKOWSKI - TOWN NEWS CONTENT EXCHANGE

"Republicans once again chose to turn their back on Americans' health care. If they wanted to keep the government open, they would have returned to DC and taken a seat at the negotiating table with Democrats to protect health care for working Americans."

STATE REP. BECCA BALINT, D-Vt.