Rep. Suozzi: Reopen the government, stop massive health insurance hikes

The government has shut down, and Washington is at a standstill. Republicans control the presidency, the Senate and the House, but they need Democratic votes to meet the 60-vote Senate threshold. Based on many conversations with both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, I believe most want to 1) reopen the government, and 2) address the health insurance premiums set to skyrocket on Jan. 1 if Congress doesn't act, with notifications hitting mailboxes on Nov. 1. So, what's the problem?

Nobody trusts each other! Republicans want to move forward with a handshake that they'll discuss health insurance once the government is reopened. Democrats want health insurance addressed swiftly as a condition of reopening.

Many lawmakers in each party have consistently held that shutdowns should not be used as a negotiating tactic. I'm traditionally inclined toward that belief, as are many members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus that I co-chair.

Unfortunately, we're in unprecedented times. The administration has unilaterally fired employees, ended vital programs and rescinded previously approved budgets, often issuing chaotic reversals. The president has generally ignored constitutional powers vested in Congress, from our "power of the purse" to our oversight over military action, even on the homefront.

The president and congressional Republican leadership have refused to negotiate with Democrats. The president's first meeting with Democratic leadership since taking office in January was just two weeks ago. Even now, he levies threats against blue states and federal workers to try to impose his will.

This fight is the first time in nine months the Democrats have asserted themselves on two of the issues Americans care about most: affordability and health care.

When you poll the American people, their No. 1 concern is the cost of living. I was there when the president promised in his inaugural address that he would "rapidly reduce prices."

Nine months later, inflation is up and the cost of living keeps climbing. Now, with the expiration of the tax credits, health insurance is set to cost more than ever.

Health care has long been too expensive — it's one of the top categories of household spending. Enhanced premium tax credits from the Affordable Care Act have been a lifeline, especially for families and small businesses. Unless Congress acts now to extend them, their expiration will devastate 22 million people across the country. Premiums for nearly 100,000 Long Islanders will jump thousands of dollars, and more than 4 million people nationwide could lose coverage, which raises costs for everyone. When healthy people forgo coverage, otherwise insured people see premiums skyrocket. Probably yours will too.

Generally, Democrats want the credits permanently extended. Republicans want to end them altogether. Ultimately, Congress needs to compromise. Right now, our priority must be stopping these massive health insurance hikes by any means necessary.

I am leading a bipartisan compromise with Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia. The Premium Tax Credit Extension Act would protect families for an additional year and give lawmakers time to pursue deeper reforms to reduce health care costs like lowering prescription drug prices, rewarding preventive care and demanding price transparency.

Our bill to extend just for one year is not perfect — I would prefer a permanent or even multiyear extension — but Democrats, who are in the minority, and Republicans, who cannot open the government alone, need to learn that half a loaf is better than crumbs.

We must abandon the "my way or the highway" style of governance and get back to working together for the people we serve. We can start by reopening the government, voting to extend health insurance credits to stave off crushing increases, and making the affordability crisis our joint top priority.

For most Americans, Washington didn't "shut down" just this month; it's been closed for too long. We need to reopen the doors, negotiate in good faith, and prove to America that Washington is finally listening.

This guest essay reflects the views of Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who represents the 3rd Congressional District.