During a live CNN segment Thursday, anchor Brianna Keilar clashed with Republican Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) over claims about the Affordable Care Act, just days before the government faces a potential shutdown.
Meuser told viewers that Democrats were making “nonsensical demands” on healthcare and described open enrollment as “a situation until December 31st” and a “scheme for insurance.” Keilar was quick to push back.
“So that’s not true,” she said, correcting his timeline. Open enrollment, she explained, actually starts in November. “Hold on. Let me — I let you talk for a really long time. So let me just explain to viewers what we’re talking about, because it’s not so clear,” she added, keeping the explanation straightforward and direct.
Keilar highlighted how these deadlines affect real people.
The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year, half of the people who get their insurance on the individual market, mostly through these ACA marketplaces, are actually connected to small businesses.
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She went on to note the stakes for self-employed Americans. “So we’re talking about small business owners, self-employed Americans, that’s according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. You, of course, care a lot about this. You’re on the small business committee,” Keilar reminded Meuser, keeping the tone firm but informative.
The discussion also touched on the practical consequences of a shutdown. The White House Budget Office sent a memo on Wednesday instructing federal agencies to plan for potential layoffs if a funding deal is not reached. “Typically, government workers head back to work once the deal is done,” Keilar said, giving viewers a sense of urgency about the situation.
Republicans have proposed extending government funding only through November 20. Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing for a broader deal that includes extending ACA subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. Without those subsidies, many Americans could see their premiums rise sharply.
Keilar emphasized that the discussion was not just about politics, but about everyday people who rely on these programs. She kept going back to the facts, showing how the timing and deadlines matter for small business owners, self-employed workers, and millions of Americans who get their insurance through ACA marketplaces.
You can watch the full exchange between Keilar and Meuser here.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
