(The Hill) — Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is urging President Trump to create a bipartisan Senate commission to resolve the ongoing dispute over expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which remain at the center of the current government shutdown.
During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, the libertarian senator suggested that Democrats agree to reopen the government for one month while the commission drafts proposals to address the enhanced ACA tax credits set to expire at year’s end — a change that could increase health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
“I suggest that President Trump come forward and name three Republicans and three Democrats in the Senate to an official commission to figure this out over a one-month period and come back with a solution,” Paul said. “But in exchange for that, I think the Democrats need to open the government for a month, and then we need to pay the workers, pay our soldiers.”
The federal government has been shut down since early October, with little progress toward a resolution. Senate Democrats have held firm, demanding that Congress first extend ACA subsidies before considering any GOP proposal to continue funding and reopen the government.
Paul has been the only Senate Republican to vote against his party’s funding proposal, citing concerns about deficit spending. He also opposed the president’s earlier tax and spending bill, arguing it added to the national debt.
While Paul remains opposed to extending ACA subsidies, he acknowledged the need to address rising health care costs, which he says the subsidies have worsened.
“As we’ve expanded Obamacare subsidies, premiums have continued to rise, and big insurance has gotten richer and richer,” Paul said.
He suggested an alternative approach — allowing consumers to collectively negotiate insurance prices, similar to bulk buying at membership stores.
“Right now, it’s illegal to go to Costco or Sam’s Club and buy your insurance. You have to be in the same trade. We should let anybody do it. Costco has 44 million members — if someone could negotiate for them, it would drive prices down,” he said.
Paul argued that current subsidies unfairly benefit higher-income earners.
“The current Democrat subsidies give a person who makes $225,000 about $1,200 a year. If you make that much, you don’t need government help,” he said.
Despite his criticism of the subsidies, Paul said he’s willing to collaborate on solutions.
“I’m open to discussing it. I think if you put Sen. Kaine and I in a room, we could figure something out,” he added, referring to Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who joined him for the joint interview.
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