Republicans formulate healthcare reforms as Dems press on issue

Republicans have begun to articulate the beginnings of a healthcare reform plan as Democrats keep the government shut down with the nominal aim of addressing rising costs. 

The shutdown itself is nearing a record and shows no signs of ending in the near future. Republicans have accused Democrats of seeking to reinstate funding for illegal immigrant healthcare while Democrats have insisted they want to lower costs for all Americans.

While the Democrats’ gambit does not appear poised to pay off in the form of tangible concessions, it does seem to have pressured the GOP into at least developing the beginnings of a reform plan.

“This is a funding fight, not a healthcare fight,” House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted this month on the “Just the News, No Noise” television show. “But there's the Obamacare COVID-era subsidies that expire December 31 and there's a lot of heated debate that we've got to have in the House and Senate to figure out what to do about that.”

Johnson further hinted at the need for a greater effort to deal with Obamacare and rising costs, though he offered little detail at the time.

“If there is any extension at all, it has to have massive reform. And we have 535 members that have to go in arm wrestle and debate through all that,” he said. “So we need all the time on the clock. And they are, they are eating that clock away right now with these partisan political games. And I think people can see right through it.”

Internal pressure from MTG

Johnson’s remarks come as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., makes headlines by criticizing the GOP’s failure to address the issue. The rogue Georgia Republican has, in recent weeks, lent credence to some of the Democratic complaints, particularly highlighting the expected increase in premiums should Obamacare subsidies expire.

"I was not in Congress when all this Obamacare, 'Affordable Care Act' bullsh-t started. I got here in 2021. As a matter of fact, the ACA made health insurance UNAFFORDABLE for my family after it was passed, with skyrocketing premiums higher than our house payment,” she told The Hill, earlier this month.

"Let’s just say as nicely as possible, I’m not a fan. But I’m going to go against everyone on this issue because when the tax credits expire this year my own adult children’s insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE, along with all the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district,” Greene added. 

“No I’m not towing the party line on this, or playing loyalty games. I’m a Republican and won’t vote for illegals to have any taxpayer funded healthcare or benefits."

The “concepts of a plan”

During the 2024 presidential election, Trump was famously roasted for stating during a debate that he had “concepts of a plan” for healthcare reform rather than a fleshed out solution to the issue. Republicans now, however, are barely further along.

But some have begun to articulate tangible reforms. Speaking on the “John Solomon Reports” podcast, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., singled out pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as a target for reform.

“Well, one [solution] is the elimination of pharmacy benefit managers,” he said. “There is the perfect example of someone who siphons billions of dollars out of the healthcare system that does absolutely nothing for the system.”

PBMs are third-party organizations that specifically manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of other companies.

Solving the shutdown first, then on to reform

“So they are, you know, indicative of the super-sized business model and pushing small businesses […] out of business,” he said. “Getting small business back into the marketplace is both smaller insurance companies and making sure that your hometown physician and your hometown pharmacist are able to service their citizens, is one of the best things to do.”

So far, however, talk of reform appears contingent on an end to the government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for his part, stated this month that he was willing to discuss healthcare reform with Democrats, but would not do so under budget duress.

“I’m not sure how much clearer I can be, but let me give it a try: I am willing to sit down with Democrats to discuss the growing unaffordability and unsustainability of Obamacare,” he posted on X. “It’s a system they created, but I’m happy to hear them out. Heck, I’m even willing to give them a vote. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. You name it. But there’s one condition: End the Schumer Shutdown. I will not negotiate under hostage conditions, nor will I pay a ransom. Period.”

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.