The Century Foundation - October 02, 2025 - What to know about shutdown

 

Yesterday, the federal government officially shut down. And while politicians in D.C. argue over who’s to blame, families at home should know the truth: this shutdown is primarily a cost of living fight—namely, the cost of health care.  Come January, some 24 million Americans who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will see their costs skyrocket, largely because of Congress’s failure to extend ACA tax credits. One side, backed by Trump and congressional Republicans, is okay with that. The other side is not.  So here are the facts behind the expiring tax credits at the center of the shutdown: 1. PREMIUMS WILL SOAR IF ACA TAX CREDITS EXPIRE Out-of-pocket premiums will double, on average, for 24 million people—with the average enrollee paying $1,016 more next year if Congress doesn't act. 2. PEOPLE IN RURAL COUNTIES WILL BE HIT ESPECIALLY HARD Rural counties, along with counties with high cancer rates, will be disproportionately affected by the price hikes. 3. MILLIONS WILL LOSE HEALTH COVERAGE Tax credits are only the tip of the iceberg: Trump is driving up health care costs across the board, reducing Medicaid coverage and making changes that, according to the CBO, could mean 15 million lose insurance. 4. THE COST-OF-LIVING IS ALREADY UNSUSTAINABLE Health care price hikes couldn’t come at a worse time: Overall cost-of-living is soaring under Trump, forcing families to take extreme measures—from taking on new debt to skipping meals—just to get by.  5. AMERICANS AGREE: CONGRESS SHOULD EXTEND THE ACA TAX CREDITS More than 3 in 4 people want to see the tax credits continue, including significant majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.  Americans can’t afford another price hike—much less one that would mean health care prices double for millions of families, costing them thousands of dollars each year. Here's how much premiums could increase in your county → Families have had enough—of price increases, of chaotic economic policy, and of attacks on our democratic institutions.  At The Century Foundation, we'll keep tracking cost increases, forging solutions that actually benefit real people, and holding our leaders to account when they fail families. Support our work At TCF, we’re mobilizing to lower costs and defend your rights over the next four years. Make a tax-deductible donation today to support our efforts during this critical time. DONATE → Copyright © 2025 The Century Foundation, All rights reserved.