Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.V., believes that Republicans are good at several things, but "lousy" at truly understanding what the average American needs. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Justice’s frustration came as Congress was readying to leave Washington, D.C., until the new year. Lawmakers had failed to tackle one last remaining issue after scores of legislative victories in the upper chamber: extending, or replacing, expiring Obamacare premium subsidies.
Those tax credits are set to lapse Wednesday, and tens of millions of Americans will see their out-of-pocket costs for healthcare double, triple and in some cases skyrocket by more than 300%.
Justice said that, as governor, there was understanding the credits would expire, given that Democrats under former President Joe Biden both enhanced the subsidies and set an expiration date for the end of the year.
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Justice lauded President Donald Trump and Republicans’ work throughout the year. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
What a fix could look like is in the air, for now. Senate Republicans’ plan to convert the subsidies into health savings accounts failed. So did Senate Democrats’ push for a three-year extension.
There are options bubbling from the House, including the GOP’s package that doesn’t address the subsidies, and a bipartisan plan that, similar to Senate Democrats’ proposal, would extend the subsidies for three years. The latter is expected to get a vote in early January.
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Justice lauded President Donald Trump and Republicans’ work throughout the year, arguing that the GOP trifecta had "almost pitched nine perfect games," but the healthcare issue was one that would sting, politically and on the ground.
"I think just an extension doesn't work," Justice said. "We need to fix it. We need to fix it all. And I think that's what President Trump is really trying to do. He's trying to get the money in their hands, instead of the money to insurance companies. All that's great and everything, but I'm telling you, our messaging is, as Republicans, is not great in my book."
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sen-jim-justice-says-republicans-lousy-knowing-what-everyday-americans-think-about-healthcare