Summary
The U.S. government is dealing with a shutdown linked to disagreements over health care subsidies. These subsidies help lower health insurance costs for many Americans. If Congress does not extend these subsidies, millions of people could see their health insurance costs rise significantly next year.
Key Facts
- Many Americans use health insurance from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
- ACA tax credits help make this insurance cheaper for low- and middle-income people.
- These tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress extends them.
- Losing these credits could greatly increase the cost of health insurance for many families.
- The potential cost increase is connected to ongoing government shutdown issues.
- Democrats want to extend the tax credits as part of ending the federal shutdown.
- Republicans want the government funded before discussing the subsidies.
- If the tax credits expire, health insurance premiums could more than double.
