As the federal shutdown drags on, what is the future of the Affordable Care Act?

"The government shutdown has reopened debate on what has been a central issue for both major political parties in the last 15 years: the future of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.Tax credits for people who get health insurance through the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, expire at the end of the year.Democrats say they won't vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate an extension of the expanded subsidies."

"As Congress circles the issue, a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Americans are "extremely" or "very" concerned about their health costs going up in the next year. Those worries extend across age groups and include people with and without health insurance, the poll found.A look at the subsidies that are expiring, the politics of the ACA and what Congress might do:"

The government shutdown renewed a fight over the Affordable Care Act as tax credits for marketplace enrollees expire at year-end. Democrats refuse to reopen the government without an extension of expanded subsidies; Republicans refuse to negotiate until Democrats reopen the government. A poll found about six in ten Americans are extremely or very concerned about health costs rising in the next year, across ages and insurance status. The ACA created state exchanges to reduce uninsured rates and lower costs. In 2021 expanded pandemic-era subsidies removed premiums for some low-income enrollees, capped premiums at 8.5% for higher earners, and broadened middle-income eligibility, which increased enrollment.

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