Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Karen Pratte

To the Editor:

At the core of the government shutdown is the cost of healthcare insurance. Millions of Americans will see their health care insurance premiums skyrocket because Republicans refuse to extend the health insurance tax subsidies. Without subsidies, insurance premiums will double or even quadruple (Kaiser Family Foundation) for people who purchase insurance from the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace, making insurance unaffordable.

To prevent the explosion of health insurance costs, Democrats will not vote for the Republicans’ partisan budget bill which excludes health insurance subsidies. Republicans wholeheartedly supported $1.1 trillion tax cuts for billionaires, but refuse health insurance tax subsidies for everyday Americans.

The shutdown occurred because Republicans failed to compromise with Democrats even though Democrats’ votes are needed to pass a budget bill. Republicans failed to pass a budget bill even though they control the Senate, the House, and the presidency.

The House voted on its budget and then Republicans left Washington September 30 and won’t return until October 20. The Senate voted on the same partisan budget, but without 60 votes, the bill failed. The Republican senators also left town. Obviously, leaving on their ‘paid’ vacation is more important than a government shutdown.

So, where did Ashley Hinson vacation? Representative Hinson went to a $500 per night, posh, luxury resort to hobnob with wealthy donors and lobbyists seeking donations for her senatorial campaign. Hinson chose a resort over working in DC for Iowans to get affordable health care. So much for her crocodile tears over how the government shutdown will harm people.

Tell Ashley Hinson to show up to Congress, do her job, and help end the shutdown.

Karen Pratte
Waterville