The Long Islanders whose health insurance increases are central to the shutdown debate

Central to the showdown driving the federal government shutdown are health care costs that would rise significantly for millions of Americans, including nearly 100,000 Long Islanders.

Those who have benefited from more generous health insurance subsidies put in place in 2021 — and set to expire Dec. 31 — include independent contractors, freelancers, gig workers, small-business owners and employees of companies that don’t offer health insurance.

Republicans say the issue of extending the additional aid for people with coverage under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, should be separate from keeping the government open.

While some support a temporary extension, GOP lawmakers say the subsidies — which were passed in 2021 and added to existing aid — were not meant to be perma