Rand Paul Wants A Bipartisan Commission On ACA Subsidies To Reopen The Government

Good idea? Bad idea?

Paul floats bipartisan commission amid Affordable Care Act subsidies battle

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called on President Trump to appoint a select group of bipartisan senators to a commission tasked with addressing the expiring health care subsidies — the issue at the core of the ongoing shutdown standoff.

In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” the libertarian senator suggested Democrats could agree to reopen the government for a one-month period, during which the commission would formulate proposals to address the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits set to expire at the end of the year and raise health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

“I suggest that President Trump come forward and name three Republicans and three Democrats in the Senate to an official commission to figure this out over a one-month period and come back with a solution,” Paul said. “But in exchange for that, I think the Democrats need to open the government for a month, and then we need to pay the workers, pay our soldiers.”

The Kentucky Republican said he opposes extending the ACA subsidies but agrees “there’s a problem” with health insurance costs. He argued the subsidies have contributed to the rising health care premiums and said lawmakers must find another solution.

“As we’ve expanded ObamaCare subsidies, what’s happened is premiums have continued to rise, and big insurance has gotten richer and richer and richer,” he said.

I would not be against a 1 year extension of the subsidies, because, look, the chance to truly kill Obamacare was 2012, but, too many Republicans sat out and refused to vote Romney. Once it went into effect getting rid of it is virtually impossible. However, that doesn’t mean there can’t be changes, including big ones. I would recommend giving in on the subsidies, and only the subsidies, nothing else, for 1 year. Democrats would have to agree, otherwise, their whole argument goes down the tubes. What, will they argue in favor of health insurance/care for illegals, money for DEI programs in other countries, climate scam programs, etc?

During that 1 year the panel would need to come up with recommendations to make changes to the Ocare program to actually reduce costs

It’s worth the reading the entire thread, but, these two stand out

They conveniently leave out that these subsidies are paid directly to insurers—not patients. ?? pic.twitter.com/MUdoQtpXHZ

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) October 24, 2025

Dems have spent weeks trying to convince the American people that extending these credits is the ONLY way to prevent healthcare premiums from skyrocketing.

That’s blatantly false.

Only 3.3% of 2026 Obamacare premium increases are related to the expiring COVID credits. pic.twitter.com/oaH637hzHt

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) October 24, 2025