At its core, the federal government shutdown is a debate over how much taxpayers should subsidize health care for people who buy insurance on the exchange.

A view of the US Capitol building following rain showers on the eighth day of the federal government shutdown on October 8, 2025, in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump said on October 6 that he would be "happy" to negotiate a deal on health programs with Democrats, but demanded the federal government first be re-opened, as a crippling shutdown entered its second week. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) provided subsidies for lower income Americans.

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan expanded them to everyone on the exchange regardless of income, making insurance free for some people and c

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