Republicans' Catch-22

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 10.16.25

Despite the fact that Republicans spent years trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which they mockingly called Obamacare, it’s more popular than ever. In 2025, enrollment hit 24.3 million, a record-high for the fourth consecutive year. No wonder: because of Obamacare, Americans no longer worry that an insurance company will deny coverage or charge higher premiums if they have a pre-existing condition — like cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

The ACA brought healthcare coverage to millions who otherwise couldn’t afford it, thanks to tax credits enacted by Democrats through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Enrollment has doubled since then.

More than 22 million Americans receive ACA credits, which expire at the end of the year unless Congress extends them. Otherwise, average out-of-pocket premiums will more than double next year, according to the nonpartisan health policy research group KFF.org.

Democrats proposed a bill to extend ACA credits and keep the government running. Republicans voted it down. Trump said, “A lot of good can come from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things we don’t want. We can do things, medically and other ways, including benefits. We can cut large numbers of people.”

KFF’s Oct. 3 poll asked if Americans agreed with Democrats that Congress should extend ACA tax credits. An overwhelming 78% said “yes,” including 59% of Republicans! Only 22% want to end them. So, why on Earth did Republicans shut down the government to do something only 22% of Americans want?

Joseph Heller’s novel “Catch-22” describes a can’t-win situation like the one Republicans face. If Republicans kill ACA credits, 78% of Americans will blame them. If credits are extended, Democrats (and Americans who want healthcare) win. As Heller wrote, “That’s some catch, that Catch-22.”

Republicans have only themselves to blame, because they think taking healthcare away from “large numbers of people” to give tax breaks to billionaires is a good thing.

Michael Maisel

Sunset Beach