Looming health insurance spikes for millions are at the heart of the government shutdown
The federal government’s shut down centers around Democrats insisting that any deal addressing their health care demands and Republicans saying those negotiations can wait until the government is funded. At issue are tax credits that have made health insurance through the Affordable Care Act more attainable for millions of people but are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats also want to reverse Medicaid cuts passed this summer that would result in millions losing the federal health insurance coverage. Democrats have insisted the ACA subsidies be extended immediately as health insurance enrollees begin to get notices of higher costs next year. Republicans have offered to negotiate on the matter, but only after the government is funded.