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Moore outlines health-care proposals, tariffs stance and shutdown recap in tele‑town hall
Summary
Rep. Blake Moore said the government reopening restored pay and services after the 43‑day shutdown and argued enhanced ACA subsidies set to expire are separate from appropriations; he promoted his HOPE Act and telehealth measures and urged tariff revenue be used to reduce the deficit.
Congressman Blake Moore on a district tele‑town hall said the recent federal shutdown — which he described as a 43‑day interruption — has ended and that federal workers are receiving pay and critical services have resumed. "The government has finally reopened," he told callers, adding the shutdown hurt federal workers and local economies in Utah’s 1st District.
Moore framed the House response as passing a "clean continuing resolution" to keep funding at current levels while completing the 12 appropriations bills, and he explained the Senate filibuster means 60 votes are generally required to move bills there. He said the House passed a CR by simple majority and urged negotiations to finish remaining appropriations before upcoming deadlines.
On health care, Moore stressed that COVID‑era "enhanced" Affordable Care Act subsidies enacted in 2021 were set to expire and are not part of the annual appropriations process. "These are not part of the annual appropriations cycle," he said, and he argued the enhanced subsidies channel money to insurers rather than directly lowering premiums. He cited rising premiums for exchange plans and contrasted that with employer‑based coverage when describing cost pressures.
Moore said he has sponsored measures intended to expand individual choices and reduce costs, including the HOPE Act, which he described as expanding health‑savings–account‑style options beyond high‑deductible plans; and a Health Access Act to expand telehealth access. "What we have to be able to do is … target the actual cost of health care," he said, and he framed HSAs and telehealth as tools to lower long‑term costs.
On tariffs, a caller from Syracuse urged keeping tariff revenue to reduce the national debt rather than issuing rebates; Moore agreed that any tariff revenue should go toward deficit reduction and said an administration rebate program would likely require congressional action. "If there's revenue from this situation … we need to use it to pay down deficits," Moore said.
Moore also recapped bipartisan work he cited on surprise‑billing and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, and urged that Congress focus on moving those proposals beyond committee. He closed the town hall by thanking callers and encouraging signups for his newsletter, saying the office will continue telephone town halls to reach constituents.
The office said no formal votes were taken during the event; Moore answered constituent questions and described legislative priorities and next procedural steps.
