GREENSBORO, N.C. — As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week, the battle in Washington is focused on health care. Democrats say they won’t agree to reopen the government until Republicans extend a program that’s helped millions of Americans lower their insurance costs.

Get ready for serious sticker shock if you’re one of more than 24 million people who get health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. A key program that helps lower monthly premiums is set to expire at the end of the year.

In a letter to Congress, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein warned, “The people who will be hit the hardest across the nation are those who can least afford to lose their health insurance.”

Stein said, for example, that a 45-year-old in North Carolina making $25,0

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