On October 1st, 2025, the United States government halted all operations and went into what is now the longest government shutdown in American history. Spanning 43 days, the shutdown followed the 2026 legislative-year funding bill’s failure to pass the Senate. The government shutdown resulted in almost-disaster flights, federal workers not receiving income, and food assistance benefits from programs like SNAP affecting nearly 42 million Americans. Additionally, the government shutdown caused an $11 billion permanent hit to the economic health of this country.
The appropriations bill for the 2026 legislative year was halted by democrats who did not see their key issue addressed properly. Republicans currently hold a majority of both the House and the Senate, but to pass key appropriations bills, bipartisan support is needed to avoid a shutdown. Some other provisions on the bill were $203.5 million towards security for SCOTUS and Congress, fully funding food assistance programs like SNAP and giving an advanced notice to Congress under investigation from intelligence agencies like the FBI.
The key issue revolved around extending tax-credits for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Attacks on healthcare have been recent, with the Big Beautiful Bill cutting more than $1 trillion out of social safety nets that guarantee health insurance. Now, the reality is that healthcare will get cuts to funding while people are being priced out of their plans.
In a press release, House Democrat Jasmine Crockett put it plainly, saying, “At the heart of this fight was one simple demand–extend the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits so families don’t see their premiums double overnight, and I am disgusted that people have forgotten or ignored our basic responsibilities.”
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” was passed and signed into law in March of 2010. One of the most revolutionary acts to the healthcare industry, the ACA expanded Medicaid coverage to millions of Americans nationwide. Before the ACA, 14-16% of Americans were uninsured but that number has halved since. Though backlash ensued due to Republican propaganda on “hand outs,” the ACA covers nearly 21 million people in this country, most in rural areas.
Since its inception, the ACA has benefitted everyone, particularly Black Americans. Per the Office of Health issue brief in 2022, “The uninsured rate among Black Americans under age 65 decreased by 8 percentage points, from 20 percent in 2011 to 12 percent in 2019.” This is integral progress which works in tandem with addressing the many health crises that plague the Black community, primarily the first step: asking for help and getting adequate care. Nonprofit organization Black Women’s Health Imperative shared their thoughts on an Instagram post saying, “When we sideline care, we put the health and stability of families, especially Black women and caregivers at risk.”
The government reopening without guarantees for healthcare for millions will have detrimental effects. Premiums rising will affect southern constituents, Black Americans and middle to low income earners. With nearly a quarter of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, the volume of affected citizens will increase. Credits not being renewed also erodes trust between leadership and constituents, with some democratic voters asking, “What was it all for?” Between the capitulation of Senate Democrats and the President’s million dollar party amid SNAP benefits suspension, the optics for government leadership are not good.
Going Forward
Congress is slated to vote on extending or creating an alternate solution for ACA subsidies in mid-December. While hikes of ACA premiums affect all, it is especially bad for middle to low income earners. In early November, President Donald Trump shared his plan to replace the ACA (“ObamaCare”), with a direct payment plan to citizens.
Florida Senator Rick Scott has proposed a potential “Trump Health Freedom Account” which would deposit cash through a health-specific savings account.
With the rising costs of healthcare and now the even more astronomical costs of home ownership due to Trump’s 50-year mortgage plan, Americans are drowning in half-baked plans and future debt.
This shutdown and lack of fight for healthcare indicates growing tensions within the democratic party, with 7 democrats joining forces in abandoning healthcare demands. Coincidentally, most who broke ranks with their party colleagues are not seeking reelection.
It is now up to the voters to usher in a new wave of democratic leadership who will address this issue and help mitigate the impacts of this disastrous trade-off. Black voters must educate themselves and face the health crisis in our communities and fight for the ACA to live on. If Congress fails, we must restore order.
Opinions are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect the views of the Annenberg Media newsroom or its leadership.