Government Shutdown Looms After Senate Deal Failure

Midnight Deadline Missed: Millions face Higher ⁣Healthcare Costs as Government Shuts Down

WASHINGTON – As‍ the clock ticks past midnight, the federal government is officially headed for a shutdown, but for millions of Americans,⁢ the more⁣ immediate and personal crisis is the ‍looming expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, threatening ⁢to double healthcare ‍premiums starting tomorrow.

The Senate,‍ once⁢ again, failed to pass a stopgap government funding bill on Tuesday, leaving the nation in limbo and its citizens bracing ⁢for ⁤financial impact. At the heart of this gridlock are the⁤ enhanced tax credits for ⁤ACA marketplace insurance, a lifeline for many families. If thes⁣ credits expire, the non-profit KFF predicts average premiums will more than double. The stark reality of this will hit home for many tomorrow, as⁢ premium⁤ notices ⁢begin to arrive.

“They’re going to say, ‘What’s⁤ happening?'” ⁤Senate Minority ⁤Leader⁢ Chuck⁢ Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated, anticipating public outcry. “And we’re going to be right there explaining to them, ‘It’s because the Republicans wouldn’t negotiate with us.'”

On Tuesday, two competing measures ⁤failed to gain the necessary support. Democrats proposed a⁢ bill that would have funded the government until Oct. 31.⁢ Crucially, it would have also ⁢permanently‍ extended the extra ACA subsidies, undone Medicaid cuts from President Trump’s tax bill, and made it more arduous for the White House to withhold ⁢funding appropriated by Congress. Not a ⁤single Republican supported this measure in the floor vote.

Republicans, in turn, pushed for a ⁢”clean” continuing resolution (CR) to extend government⁣ funding until ⁣Nov. 21. While this measure did not receive the 60-vote threshold⁢ required⁤ for cloture, it did pick up two ⁤more votes compared ⁣to⁤ the last stopgap funding bill vote on Sept. 19.⁢ Notably, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.),who⁤ was the sole Democrat ⁣to back the ⁣Republican bill last time,was ‍joined ⁤by Sen.⁢ Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and ⁢Maine Independent Sen. angus⁤ King, who caucuses with⁤ Democrats, in supporting the ⁤Republican proposal this time. Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the lone dissenter from his own party.

Senate Majority Leader John⁢ Thune (R-S.D.) indicated Republicans might consider extending the ACA credits,⁤ but only after the government reopens. Even then, he suggested, any extension would likely be ‍temporary, include income caps⁢ on the ⁤subsidies,⁤ and ⁢address concerns about government-subsidized plans covering abortion. ⁤Historically, Republicans have not supported enhanced subsidies.

Democrats are betting that the public will pressure Republicans ⁢to extend the ⁤ACA⁤ credits⁢ once they see‍ the important premium increases. Beyond healthcare, the Congressional Budget Office estimates approximately 750,000 federal employees could be impacted by ⁣the⁢ shutdown. ⁤lobbyists, however, admit it’s difficult to predict how the public will react to⁢ the shutdown itself, or who voters ⁢will ultimately hold responsible.

As the nation wakes to a shuttered government, the most immediate and tangible consequence ⁣for many will be the ‍stark choice between soaring healthcare costs and going without coverage, ‍a direct result of Washington’s inability⁣ to⁢ find common ground.