Democrats weigh which pain is greater: A shutdown or skyrocketing Obamacare premiums

Feds Feel the Heat, but Obamacare Premiums Take Center Stage as Shutdown Drags On.

In the third week of a government shutdown that's been dragging on for weeks, the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on federal workers to cave under the pain they're feeling - hoping it'll motivate Democrats to compromise and reopen the government. But Democrats aren't backing down, arguing that skyrocketing Obamacare premiums pose a far greater threat.

"We want to prevent a bad thing from happening," said Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), whose district is home to over 40,000 federal workers. "We're not going to let people suddenly have huge spikes in healthcare costs, lose their insurance, and wish we'd fought harder." In many cases, the premiums will more than double as a result of expiring subsidies.

The situation has become increasingly dire for these workers, with over 700,000 being furloughed and nearly 4,000 having been laid off since the shutdown began. But Democrats say they're willing to take on the pain now if it means avoiding the long-term consequences of allowing those premiums to skyrocket - a scenario that could leave millions of Americans without access to healthcare.

"We have no choice but to confront the health care crisis and the government shutdown crisis at the same time," said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). The administration has refused to extend the subsidies, leaving Democrats in a difficult spot. "The temporary pain of a shutdown pales in comparison to the permanent pain of insurance premiums doubling."

Meanwhile, the White House is warning that more than 10,000 federal jobs could be cut during the impasse - with the potential for up to double that number if Congress fails to act.

For many Democrats, the issue isn't just about the immediate consequences of the shutdown but about standing firm against what they see as a partisan attempt to punish them for not giving in on healthcare. "This is not a blue state issue; it's just that Democrats happen to care about saving health care," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

As the standoff continues, with no clear end in sight, one thing's clear: Democrats are determined to fight for what they see as their top priority - the future of healthcare for millions of Americans.

I'm thinking about these people who have to worry about losing their insurance every day it's like, what's the real cost of a shutdown, anyway? Is it just a bunch of politicians playing politics or is it about keeping people healthy? I mean, what happens when those premiums go up, huh? Are they going to be able to afford it? Do they even know how much their healthcare bills are going to increase? It's like, we're so caught up in the drama and the fear-mongering that we forget there are real people behind these numbers . We need to remember that at the end of the day, this isn't just about Democrats or Republicans, it's about human lives .

the shutdown is getting crazy and it's not just about the feds, it's about the people who are losing access to health care because of expiring subsidies ... the premiums are going to be a disaster especially for those with pre-existing conditions ... Democrats are trying to stand firm but it's hard when you're facing a partisan pushback ... the thought of 10,000+ jobs being cut is terrifying ... can't we all just get along and find a solution that works for everyone?

Can't believe these politicians are playing hardball over Obamacare premiums They're worried about 10k jobs getting cut but who cares when people are gonna lose their insurance?! It's like, you gotta put a price on human lives, right? And btw, what's with the admin trying to punish Democrats for not giving in? That's just gaslighting, fam If I were a dem, I'd take a hard stance too and risk losing my job. The temporary pain of a shutdown is nothing compared to the permanent damage of losing healthcare

Ugh I cant even right now thinking about these 700k ppl being furloughed and almost 4000 losin there jobs it's just so cruel the admin is tryin to break them but at the end of the day its the people whos gonna suffer so much more if they dont get healthcare premium changes done ASAP i mean yeah theres pain in shutdown but doubling premiums is like a whole diff kinda pain its not even comparable and reps are all like we gotta stand firm and protect our ppl but isnt that just what reps r for ??

I'm so worried about these furloughed workers , over 700k people affected? It's just not right. And the White House is still being all dramatic about job cuts, like 10k or double that number? Come on . Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting for a reason - those Obamacare premiums would be catastrophic for some folks. I mean, Rep Sarah Elfreth's right, we can't let people lose their insurance and have huge spikes in costs. It's just basic human decency .

this is so frustrating can't believe the gov is trying to use people's pain to get what it wants... like, we get it, there are some budget issues, but Obamacare premiums are killing ppl and they're not even considering the impact on low-income families or ppl with pre-existing conditions . 700k furloughed + 4000 laid off is crazy ... & now they're threatening to cut even more jobs? what's next? gotta keep pushing for affordable healthcare, no matter how long it takes

can't believe these ppl r really threatening people's health insurance 4 political leverage like what's more important, paying the admin or having a roof over ur head & food in ur belly? and why is this all about the premiums? isn't it about the actual healthcare u need? gotta stand firm on this one

I think the admin is being super short-sighted . I mean, yeah, 700k furloughed workers and whatnot is a bummer, but those people got families too, you know? And if they lose their insurance, it's not just them who'll suffer - it's their kids and spouses, too!

And let's be real, the economy will probably tank if this shutdown lasts forever . I mean, come on, it's basic economics 101 - a government shutdown is bad for business and employment. But no, instead of finding a compromise, they're just piling on more drama and making everyone suffer .

And another thing, what's with the 'temporary pain' nonsense? It's not temporary! If those subsidies expire, it's gonna be a huge problem for people who can't afford healthcare. Like, Pramila Jayapal said it best - this isn't just about healthcare, it's about people's lives .

I'm rooting for the Dems to stand firm on this one . We need some real leadership and not just more partisan bickering .

shutdown is a mess ... think ppl r more concerned about losing insurance & paying double premiums than getting paid fam is being hurt big time gotta feel for dem federal workers who are already going thru so much

The situation is getting really tough for those furloughed workers They're already feeling the heat, but it's not just about them It's about millions of Americans who could lose access to healthcare if premiums double Democrats are trying to fight for what they care about most - saving healthcare The temporary pain of a shutdown shouldn't outweigh the permanent consequences

The government shutdown is getting really intense and it's not just about the drama between parties, it's about real people's lives . If Obamacare premiums double, it could be a disaster for millions of Americans who can't afford healthcare . We need to take care of our people, not use them as pawns in politics . The White House is all talk and no action , and it's time for Congress to step up and do the right thing .

the shutdown is getting real and it's not just about federal workers feeling the burn, obamacare premiums are literally going to make or break people's lives if you're living on a fixed income or have insurance that's already super expensive, doubling those costs would be devastating. i feel for rep sarah elfreth and rep jamie raskin, they gotta stand firm but it's not an easy fight the admin's trying to make them take the hit while the republicans are just sitting back, waiting for a better deal meanwhile, 10k+ jobs on the line? that's just gross

I don't get why they're making such a big deal about people losing their insurance if it means not having a huge spike in costs later on. It's like, yeah, 100 bucks more a month might seem small now, but what if it's a lot more later? And meanwhile, these people are already struggling because the government is shut down... it feels like they're being squeezed between two rocks and can't win either way

omg can u believe these ppl are gonna let millions lose their insurance because of some politics ?! i feel so bad for those 700k+ furloughed fed workers, they're already goin thru hell . it's like, yeah we get it, you wanna negotiate on healthcare, but do u really gotta take away people's healthcare in the process? doesn't seem right to me...

I'm so worried about those 700k+ furloughed workers and nearly 4000 who got laid off it's like, they're human beings too, you know? And now Obamacare premiums are gonna double that's a huge concern for me. Like, how can we expect people to cope with that kind of financial strain? I'm all about balance and finding middle ground, but this feels like it could have been avoided if the admin just extended those subsidies

I feel for those 700k furloughed federal workers, it's like they're living on borrowed time . This shutdown is taking a toll on their mental health and stability . It's not just about the immediate pain, but also the uncertainty of what's to come . Meanwhile, the White House is threatening even more cuts, which would be devastating for those already affected .

It got me thinking, when we prioritize short-term gains over long-term consequences, we're basically playing a game of Russian roulette with people's lives . We need to think about the ripple effects and make decisions that benefit everyone in the end . This shutdown is a harsh reminder that our actions have consequences .

Let's hope Democrats stay firm on their stance and find a solution that prioritizes healthcare for millions . The temporary pain of a shutdown can't compare to the permanent pain of losing access to healthcare .

I'm getting so frustrated about this government shutdown ! It's not just about the politicians being stubborn, it's about the people who are getting hurt. I mean, can you believe that Obamacare premiums are going to sky-rocket? That's just devastating for so many families . And now they're threatening to cut jobs? That's just crazy talk .

I think it's really unfair that Democrats are being forced to choose between supporting their constituents and pleasing the Republicans. It should be a no-brainer - healthcare is everyone's priority, not just some partisan point score . We need politicians who care about people, not just about winning elections .

It's like they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" - except in this case, it feels like the federal workers are being squeezed while nobody seems to be listening . This shutdown is a total mess, and I just hope someone steps up and does something about it soon . We need to get our government back on track and focus on what really matters: helping people .

omg can u believe this is happening?? these federal workers r already suffering so much with 700k furloughed and 4000 laid off... but obamacare premiums taking center stage it's all about the politics right now... i feel for dem reps trying to fight for healthcare, they gotta stand firm against this partisan attempt... millions of americans r gonna lose access to healthcare if these subsidies expire... we need a solution ASAP! ️

I remember when healthcare was supposed to be a human right, not something you had to worry about just because of your income . Now it's like they're trying to squeeze every penny out of us while politicians are playing politics with our lives . I'm all for a fair fight, but this is just ridiculous. We need a solution that benefits everyone, not just the special interests . And what's up with these sudden spikes in premiums? It's like they're trying to break the system . Can't we just get back to making healthcare work for everyone, instead of playing games?