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

Government Shutdown Pain Divides Democrats, But Insurers Are The Real Losers.

As the country teeters on the brink of its third week-long government shutdown, President Trump's administration is trying everything it can think of to ratchet up the pain for federal workers. They want Democrats to cave and reopen the government so that those workers won't have to miss paychecks or face any other hardship. But in the Democratic camp, there's a growing consensus that they need to take on another major issue: rising Obamacare premiums.

These premiums are about to skyrocket due to expiring subsidies, leaving millions of Americans potentially facing huge hikes in health insurance costs. The Republicans are resisting calls from Democrats to extend these subsidies, saying that negotiations could happen only after the government is reopened. But Democrats say the consequences of doing nothing far outweigh the temporary pain of a shutdown.

According to data compiled by KFF, roughly 24 million people rely on Obamacare marketplace plans and most of them benefit from enhanced tax credits. Without these credits, some participants may get smaller tax credits, while others might lose eligibility altogether. When asked about this on MSNBC, senior Democratic aide admitted that "the temporary pain of a shutdown pales in comparison to the permanent pain of insurance premiums doubling".

Senator Ruben Gallego echoed this sentiment when he said, "We always back pay our government workers... what's not gonna happen if we don't get any action? 24 million Americans aren't gonna get their premiums back". These numbers underscore just how significant the issue is. For Democrats who are at home in their districts now, conversations with constituents only strengthen their resolve to fight for health care before reopening the government.

While some Republicans have shifted funding around to ease the pain of the shutdown - including relieving funds for the military and food aid programs that help millions of low-income mothers and children - this also removes pressure to act on the shutdown. Democrats are seizing the opportunity to turn the conversation, saying Republicans should be willing to talk about health care now, not after they're safely back in their seats.

Democrat Pramila Jayapal added, "This is not a blue state issue; it's just that Democrats happen to care about saving health care." She went on to ask Republicans: "What level of despair and pain are you willing to inflict on your constituents by refusing to come to the table and negotiate?"

The Democratic stance may be unpopular with some voters who are fed up with government dysfunction, but they're not seeing their own pain in the short-term cost of shutting down the government. What's at stake for Democrats is much bigger: the long-term impact of Obamacare premiums on millions of Americans' lives.

omg, like i cant even right now ppl need to get over it about gov shutdown 4 a sec... but seriously tho, healthcare is literally life or death stuff what's gonna happen 2 all those ppl w/o subsidies? democrats r tryin 2 make a point here & its not 2 b taken lighly reps r just playin politics w/ ppl's lives & thats messed up

I'm low-key stressing about this whole thing . I got a friend who works for an insurance company, and she's been telling me how crazy these healthcare costs are getting . It's like, if they don't extend those subsidies, people's premiums are gonna skyrocket. Like, what even is the point of having health insurance if it's not affordable?

And on top of that, I've got a family member who's trying to get coverage for their kid, but it's just not happening . They're at this point where they have to decide whether to spend all their money on healthcare or something else. That's not even a choice - that's just a hard, no-comeback situation .

I don't know, man... I think the Democrats are making some solid points here . The Republicans need to step up and negotiate on this stuff instead of trying to pin all their hopes on reopening the government . And meanwhile, people's lives are being held hostage by these skyrocketing premiums .

I'm just hoping that something gets done soon, before anyone gets too caught up in the politics of it all . We need some real solutions to this healthcare crisis, not just more drama .

I think it's super interesting how the Democratic party is focusing on the bigger picture here - rising Obamacare premiums are a huge deal and could really affect people's lives, especially low-income families who might not be able to afford their health insurance if prices skyrocket. It's like they're saying "okay, we get that some people are upset about the shutdown, but let's not forget about this bigger issue". And I love how Pramila Jayapal is framing it as a human issue rather than just a party thing - it's all about the people, you know?

But what's also crazy to me is how the Republicans are trying to use the shutdown to avoid talking about health care. Like, they're saying "let's not negotiate until after we're safely back in office" and that's just super lame. If they really cared about their constituents' well-being, they'd be having those conversations now, not later. And the fact that some of them are trying to shift funding around to ease the pain for low-income families is pretty cool, but it's also like, "okay, you're doing this because we're not having a conversation about health care, right?"

Overall, I think Democrats have a valid point here - the shutdown might be painful for some people, but Obamacare premiums are going to be even more painful if something doesn't get done. And let's be real, Republicans don't want to deal with that issue either... so it's all about finding a compromise and getting this thing done ASAP!

I think it's pretty clear that Dems are trying to flip the script here , shifting the focus from workers losing paychecks to the real victims - folks who can't afford their health insurance . It's a clever move, but also kinda cynical. I mean, come on, Republicans are already getting slammed for not doing anything about the shutdown, so why not try to capitalize on that while you're at it? It's like Dems are saying: "Hey, we know you're trying to hurt workers, so let's make sure everyone knows how much Obamacare is going to cost them... just kidding, we'll do something about it, don't worry!" Still, gotta give credit where credit is due - at least they're not ignoring the issue. Now if only they could actually get some real solutions on the table...

I don’t usually comment but I gotta say that this whole shutdown thing is wild . I mean, who gets paid in April because they didn’t get a paycheck from Jan-March? It's crazy! On one hand, I feel bad for the feds who are getting paid late and all, but on the other hand... those Obamacare premiums are gonna be OUT. OF. CONTROL . Like, what even is the point of having a functioning government if we can't make sure everyone has access to healthcare? And yeah, I get that Democrats want to prioritize this, but it's hard not to feel for the military folks and food aid recipients who are getting hit too . It's just... can't they all agree on something already?

omg can u believe these gov reps r more worried about bein back in office than helpin ppl deal w/ this shutdown?? its like they wanna keep us in the dark 4eva meanwhile, 24 mil ppl r gonna get their premiums slashed or even lose 'em altogether... thats not just pain 4 gov workers but ppl who cant afford healthcare

i feel 4 pramila jayapal she's low-key a hero for bringin attention to this huge issue and not lettin it slide these republicans think they can just wait till after the shutdown 2 start talkin bout health care? like, what kinda game is that? Democrats need 2 keep pushin 4 change even if it means bein unpopular w/ some voters

can't believe these republicans are so extra! they're literally asking people to suffer for their own gain and still won't budge on the subsidies meanwhile democrats are fighting for the real issue here - affordable healthcare those 24 million ppl are not just numbers, they're lives affected by this shutdown pramila jayapal is right, it's not blue state or red state, it's all about people suffering because of these politicians' games

I'm telling you, this whole thing is a mess . The government shutdown is just a symptom of a bigger problem - the lack of healthcare reform in this country. I mean, come on, 24 million people rely on Obamacare, that's not something to be taken lightly!

And don't even get me started on the Republicans' refusal to extend subsidies. It's like they're trying to make healthcare unaffordable for millions of Americans. That's not fair, that's just cruel .

Meanwhile, the Democrats are getting a bad rap for wanting to prioritize healthcare over paying government workers on time. I think they're being totally reasonable here. The pain of a shutdown is short-term, but the consequences of failing to act on healthcare reform could be devastating long-term .

I'm not saying Democrats should get everything their way, but this is one issue where common sense and humanity seem to be on their side . The Republicans need to step up and find a solution that benefits everyone, not just themselves .

The shutdown drama is getting more intense! I'm loving how Democrats are taking a stand on those skyrocketing Obamacare premiums , it's like they're not worried about the short-term pain for government workers, but who cares when millions are gonna lose their affordable health insurance? Those 24 million people relying on the marketplace plans deserve better. The Reps' resistance is just ridiculous - we can't let them dictate our healthcare conversations! Pramila Jayapal's got the right attitude , "It's not a blue state issue" - it's a human rights issue

I get why Dems wanna push 4 health care reform now... but this is gonna be a tough sell for some voters who are still salty about gov't shutdowns . I mean, can they really afford 2 deal w/ healthcare premiums doubling? It's one thing to fight 4 better policies when you're in power, but what happens if Dems lose the midterms? Will they just get stuck w/ a broken system that hurts people they were trying 2 help?

I'm still all 4 expanding Medicaid & subsidies, tho. We gotta prioritize healthcare access over gov't dysfunction... at least in theory . The real winners here r the insurers, btw

The shutdown drama is playing out like a real-life game of chess, with each side carefully maneuvering to gain an upper hand. While the Republicans are trying to exert pressure on Democrats to reopen the government, they're also using it as an opportunity to sidestep discussions on rising Obamacare premiums. I think this strategy backfires, though – by not addressing the health care issue head-on, they're only making things worse for millions of Americans who rely on these subsidies.

The data is stark: 24 million people are at risk of seeing their premiums double or lose eligibility altogether. This isn't just a partisan issue; it's a human one. Democrats need to take a stand and fight for these folks, even if it means putting pressure on Republicans to negotiate. The temporary pain of a shutdown pales in comparison to the permanent consequences of skyrocketing health insurance costs.

It's interesting to see how some Republicans are shifting funding around to ease the pain of the shutdown, but this only removes pressure to act on the issue. Democrats need to seize the moment and make it clear that they won't be ignored when it comes to health care. The stakes are high, and I'm not sure which side will come out on top in the end

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole shutdown thing. It feels like we're seeing a classic case of "let them figure it out" from both sides, but let's not forget that there are real people affected here... the 24 million folks relying on Obamacare plans. I need to see some data or expert analysis on how these premium hikes will really hit different communities. Is this just a knee-jerk reaction by Democrats or is there actual research backing up the claim that it'll have more permanent consequences?

I feel like we need to talk about this more... The shutdown and insurance premiums, it's all so interconnected . I mean, can you imagine losing your health insurance because of politics? It's not just a matter of Democrats wanting to take on another issue, but really, what's the alternative here? Republicans are trying to play both sides, but they're not acknowledging the human impact of this shutdown .

It's easy for politicians to say we need to talk about health care after the government is reopened, but what about all the people who can't afford their premiums now? They'll be stuck with huge hikes or even lose their coverage altogether. It's like, where's the empathy? Democrats might not be winning the short-term battle, but if they stand firm on this, it could lead to real change in the long run .

I'm curious, what do you guys think is at stake here? Is it just about politics or is there something more to it?

The thing is, during this government shutdown, it seems like everyone's getting played - except actually no one is. On one hand, Trump's administration is trying to make life hard for federal workers, but deep down they're just looking for an excuse to avoid dealing with Obamacare premiums that are about to skyrocket. Like, the Republicans are saying they won't budge on subsidies unless the shutdown ends - which is basically a lose-lose situation. On the other hand, Democrats aren't backing down either - and honestly can't blame 'em for wanting to prioritize people's health insurance over some bureaucratic headache.

man... this shutdown thing is like, what even is the point anymore? it's not just about gov workers missing paychecks or whatever, it's about people's actual lives being affected by these premiums. i mean 24 mil ppl relying on obamacare plans and some of them might lose their insurance entirely... that's a whole different level of pain

and democrats are right to prioritize this over the shutdown, you feel? they're not just fighting for gov workers, they're fighting for people who actually need healthcare. it's like, what's more important: temporary inconvenience or actual suffering?

and republicans are all like "negotiate later" but democrats are like "no way, we got this now" which is fair i guess. because at the end of the day, this isn't just about politics, it's about people's lives... and that's what should be prioritized

The shutdown is a mess, I'm just hoping someone can come up with a solution soon. It's so unfair that the people who are getting hit the hardest are the ones who rely on Obamacare plans . I mean, what's the point of even having a government if we're not gonna help our own citizens? And those 24 million people who rely on these plans for their health insurance... it's just not right that they're being asked to pay more .

I'm so worried about what's gonna happen to ppl who are already struggling to afford health insurance . I mean, the fact that subsidies are expiring and premiums are about to skyrocket is just crazy . It's not like it's a temporary problem or anything - millions of ppl rely on Obamacare marketplace plans for their healthcare .

And let's be real, if Democrats don't take action now, they're basically gonna lose the trust of their constituents . I mean, sure, some Republicans are trying to help with funding here and there, but it's just not enough . The thing is, Obamacare is such a huge deal for so many ppl - it's not just a partisan issue; it's about people's lives .

I'm all for negotiating and finding solutions that work for everyone, but sometimes I feel like politicians are more worried about being re-elected than actually doing what's right . It's just frustrating when you know that the stakes are so high and the consequences could be devastating if nothing is done .

I think it's crazy how both parties are trying to make the other take the fall, but no one's really addressing the real issue here - the people who need affordable healthcare . I mean, we're talking about 24 million Americans who could see their premiums double in a matter of weeks . That's some serious financial stress for families and individuals trying to get by.

It's also interesting how Democrats are being seen as "caring" about health care because they're advocating for people who can't afford it . Meanwhile, Republicans are more concerned with "negotiating" behind closed doors rather than having an open conversation with the public . I'm not sure which party's approach is more effective, but one thing's for sure - we need to see some real compromise and a willingness to work together to find solutions .

The fact that Democrats are using this shutdown as an opportunity to bring up healthcare again shows that they're not just about getting re-elected . They genuinely care about people's lives, even if it means taking a stand against the other party .

I'm telling ya, back in my day we didn't have all these crazy budget issues . It was either you had it or you didn't, you know? Anyway, I think those insurers are getting what's coming to them... they're reaping the rewards of this shutdown while people are suffering . The fact that Democrats are taking a stand on Obamacare is huge news, and if they can get something done, it'll be a real win for the country . Those Republicans need to stop playing hardball and start negotiating already !