Why the Republicans Can’t De-Fund ObamaCare

The tax subsidies to purchase health insurance, for example, are considered mandatory funds. “Therefore, the funds for such credits would continue to be available via permanent appropriation during a government shutdown,” CRS [Congressional Research Service] concludes. While the IRS hasn’t gamed out the exact situation, the researchers believe “it may be likely that at least some of the eligibility and processing functions associated with payment of this credit might continue during a government shutdown.”

Other ObamaCare programs that the CRS doesn’t believe a shutdown would stop include the federal health insurance marketplace, the state-based insurance marketplaces and the individual mandate. Otherwise known as the most significant portions of the Affordable Care Act.

Full post by Sarah Kliff worth reading. See our previous post.

Comments (13)

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  1. Bolton says:

    What better way to spend money than to appropriate it and then make it impossible to distribute?

  2. August says:

    I hate continuing resolutions. I really do

    • Cabaret says:

      You mean you hate the most obvious sign of a political system that rewards entrenchment and the power of money. Seems a little shallow to me

      • August says:

        Maybe I should think about government as a giant song and dance

        • Tom says:

          I understand your frustration. Us humans who live by different moral standards and ideals are the ones who have to fight for a better system and world, though, instead of getting too discouraged.

  3. Drew says:

    “Therefore, the funds for such credits would continue to be available via permanent appropriation during a government shutdown,” Wow. Republicans have no idea what is going on…they are just flushing their credibility down the tubes.

  4. Donald says:

    “it may be likely that at least some of the eligibility and processing functions associated with payment of this credit might continue during a government shutdown.” At least we know that everything won’t be in Chaos if the republicans follow through.

  5. Fred says:

    “Other ObamaCare programs that the CRS doesn’t believe a shutdown would stop include the federal health insurance marketplace, the state-based insurance marketplaces and the individual mandate. Otherwise known as the most significant portions of the Affordable Care Act.”

    Sometimes I wonder if Republican Congressmen actually think before they do anything…

    • Tom says:

      Well, the problem is that many of these politicians are immersed in a world of re-election and saying or doing anything necessary to set themselves apart to appeal to their own base. Greed for power being exposed at its finest.

  6. Loren Heal says:

    Coburn argued this, and now Goodman, two respected voices. It’s specious.

    The point is not what happens *during the shutdown*, but what the shutdown does to the negotiations.

    Republicans are afraid of a government shutdown. Democrats don’t appear to be. Guess who will always win the negotiation?

    If you’re not willing to walk away from the table, you had better just give in.

  7. Tim Clark says:

    Well, this may have changed my view about the continuing resolution. I guess at this point, we’re stuck with obamacare. Maybe we can repeal it later, but it’s nearly impossible once it’s in place. Although I really didn’t think defunding it at this stage would’ve done much anyway.
    And for those who think the republicans will suffer as a result, it’s not like they have much to lose.

  8. Rich Berger says:

    Not convinced by your arguments from authority. Let’s try and let the Supreme Court figure it out.