WASHINGTON — (TNS) The budget stalemate that threatens a potential federal government shutdown next week is also a battle over whether to continue helping consumers pay for their health care — help that about 1.8 million Californians use.

If the federal enhanced subsidies end, those state residents could see their monthly premiums nearly triple or quadruple next year.

Those subsidies are due to stop at the end of this year. Democrats and some Republicans in Congress want them to continue, but GOP leaders so far have balked at taking action now.

Keep balking, Democrats warn, and we’re going to hold off approving any federal budget for fiscal 2026, which begins Oct. 1.

If no overall budget plan is approved by then, much of the government would shut down. The Republican-led House passed

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