A Senate hearing on “shoppable” healthcare devolved into a fiery debate over the future of the Affordable Care Act’ s enhanced subsidies, the key dispute driving the government shutdown, as Democrats claim millions could lose coverage if the credits lapse.

The hearing, led by chairman Rick Scott (R-FL) and ranking member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), was billed as a discussion on how transparency and consumer choice could lower costs for older Americans. But it quickly became a proxy battle over the shutdown and whether to extend the ACA’s premium tax credits, which expire at the end of the year.

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