Montanans can’t afford the exploding costs of health insurance coming their way if Republicans in the U.S. Senate won’t work with Democrats to protect Affordable Care Act tax credits — that was the message Wednesday from a video call hosted by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

Murray, a Democrat from Washington, hosted the call with three Montanans, state Sen. Cora Neumann of Bozeman; Vicky Byrd, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association; and Rob Gregoire, a retired business owner from Bozeman who relies on ACA tax credits for health care.

Wednesday was the 15th day of a federal government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse in Washington, D.C., and health care subsidies are a key issue in the fight.

Murray said she held the call because families in red states such as Montana are be

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