Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) publicly criticized his own party during an appearance on CSPAN’s Ceasefire program on Friday, December 19, distancing himself from Democratic messaging surrounding the growing controversy over Obamacare and expiring healthcare subsidies.
Fetterman made clear that the looming problem is not the fault of Republicans, arguing that both Obamacare and the temporary subsidies now nearing expiration were entirely Democratic initiatives. The subsidies, introduced under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, are scheduled to end in 2026, a move that could sharply raise healthcare costs for the roughly 7% of Americans who rely on Obamacare plans.
“These weren’t Republican policies,” Fetterman stressed, reminding viewers that not a single Republican voted for Obamacare when it was passed. He noted that the subsidies were deliberately designed as a temporary measure during the COVID era, with a built-in expiration date that Democrats themselves approved.
As the subsidies wind down, healthcare premiums are expected to rise significantly, undoing the affordability gains created by federal assistance. Despite this, Fetterman argued that Democrats are now attempting to frame the situation as a Republican-caused crisis, a narrative he openly rejected.
Speaking directly to Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) during the program, Fetterman said the responsible path forward would be to acknowledge Democratic ownership of the policy and pursue a short-term bipartisan solution. He suggested negotiating a one-year extension of the subsidies as a realistic compromise rather than engaging in partisan blame.
“This was our bill,” Fetterman said. “It was designed to expire. Now here we are, and there’s not much time left to deal with it.”
While Fetterman acknowledged that changes to the system may be necessary, he emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that political grandstanding could leave millions facing higher healthcare costs. He argued that lawmakers do not need to agree on whether Obamacare is perfect, only that immediate action is required to prevent sudden disruption for consumers.
The debate over Obamacare subsidies has also drawn sharp comments from President Donald Trump. Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats of using government shutdown threats to force Republicans to continue subsidies he described as a financial boon for large insurance companies rather than for ordinary Americans.
Trump argued that insurance companies have seen massive stock gains since the passage of Obamacare, while premiums for consumers have more than doubled—contrary to earlier promises that healthcare costs would decline. He called for redirecting healthcare funding directly to individuals, allowing them to purchase coverage in a more competitive market, rather than funneling money through insurers.
The president concluded by urging both parties to work together on meaningful healthcare reform once the government reopens, while calling on Democrats to abandon what he labeled “failed policies” and stop using fear to influence public opinion.
Fetterman’s remarks underscore growing internal tensions within the Democratic Party over healthcare policy, as lawmakers face difficult choices between defending past legislation and confronting its unintended consequences amid an increasingly polarized political environment.
