Republican Dodges Question About Health Care

A Republican congressman’s attempt to justify his party’s support for a government shutdown quickly fell apart during a straightforward interview on Thursday.

During a segment on CNN, host Erin Burnett questioned Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia about what the GOP plans to do to prevent health care costs from soaring if they let expanded federal subsidies expire at the end of the year.

“We have the most expensive health care system in the world. It’s not even close,” McCormick began. “Anyone who’s been overseas and visited an emergency room—”

Burnett cut in: “Can you address the subsidy extension, please?”

“I’m going to address that,” McCormick snapped. “But you have to let me finish. I’m a physician. I’m on the GOP Doctors Caucus.”

The interview didn’t get smoother from there. When Burnett pressed him again about what the GOP would do for those about to lose their health care subsidies, McCormick avoided specifics and instead called for a complete overhaul of the U.S. health care system.

“Can that be done by January?” Burnett asked.

“You’re not letting me finish,” McCormick replied, before pivoting to the familiar GOP refrain that “waste, fraud, and abuse” are to blame for the country's health care issues — a claim that has been widely discredited as a catch-all excuse lacking in detail.

Burnett pushed back: “I don’t think many people believe the system is working as it should. But right now, you have 500,000 people in your state who could lose their coverage because premiums will rise in the new year. And what you’re suggesting won’t solve that in time.”

McCormick’s inability to offer a concrete solution highlights the GOP’s ongoing struggle to present a realistic plan for preserving or improving access to affordable health care. For now, the Republican playbook seems focused on political posturing, blame-shifting, and avoiding uncomfortable topics—like the Epstein files.