Summary
The U.S. government shutdown continues as the Senate debates health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats want to extend health insurance subsidies, arguing they won't vote to reopen the government until Republicans discuss this. Republicans demand reopening the government before any negotiation.
Key Facts
- The government shutdown has reached 23 days as of the article date.
- The debate is focused on health insurance subsidies created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
- Tax credits that help make health insurance more affordable are set to expire at the end of the year.
- Democrats are pushing for these subsidies to be extended and are using the shutdown to force negotiations.
- If the subsidies expire, insurance premiums could rise significantly, by an average of 114% next year.
- A poll shows that 6 in 10 Americans are very worried about rising health costs.
- Republicans want Democrats to vote to reopen the government before any discussions on extending the subsidies.
- The ACA was designed to reduce the number of uninsured people and to make coverage more affordable.
