There are talks in the United States federal ranks that have led to some concern about a possible government shutdown. After Congress did not extend funding for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Democrats risk blocking funding measures if a deal cannot be reached to restore the previous cuts made to Medicaid and extend ACA subsidies. The bill officially expires at the end of this year. The result of losing these funds will create a drastic premium incline for people in the country, as insurers will be locking in their rates ahead of next year in preparation for 2026. This will likely result in a big chunk of people not renewing their enrollment. The three changes being discussed for the 2026 to 2035 years are permanently expanding the premium tax credit, nullifying the final rule related to health insurance marketplaces, and repealing sections of the 2025 reconciliation act related to health insurance marketplaces. If Congress were to agree to a new deal, the Congressional Budget Office or CBO, and Joint Committee on Taxation or JTC, concur that it would increase federal deficits even more. At the same time, this will also increase the number of people with health insurance. The estimated cost from the Congressional Budget office is at thirty-five billion dollars a year. Some states are allowing users to file two rates, one with subsidies provided and one without. In Wisconsin, there are no immediate actions that take place. The Chief of Police at the University of Whitewater, Matthew Kiederlin stated, “If the Federal Government shuts down, it doesn’t affect our daily operations at all…the only effects are dealing with grant funding delays and rescheduling of the Federal committees I am on.” Kiederlen did not mention when the updates would start to affect changes in the state. Whitewater’s campus nutritionist, Summer Manzke also said, “I didn’t notice a change in the community the last time the government shutdown.” Just like Kiederlen, Manzke did not receive immediate changes. The last shutdown was in 2019 and lasted for thirty-five days—which was the longest in United States history. This brings in further questioning regarding when the states begin to feel pushback from the federal level. The president and the Democrats were supposed to meet Wednesday to work out a new deal, but the president cancelled due to political differences. The Trump administration on Wednesday reportedly said that they threatened to fire federal employees if a deal to fund the government isn’t reached within the next week.
White House lays groundwork for mass firings if there’s a shutdown
Timeline of more than 20 US government shutdowns in nearly 50 years
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