Government Shutdown Threatens Health Care Access, Costs
WASHINGTON - A continuing government shutdown is poised to disrupt a range of health programs, perhaps increasing health insurance costs for millions of Americans and impacting public health initiatives, experts warn. The shutdown’s effects are already being felt, with potential for escalation the longer it persists.
A key concern centers on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. If Congress doesn’t act within 30 days,individuals and families utilizing ACA marketplace plans could see “big jumps” in their health insurance premiums,according to Frederick Ricca,a policy analyst with the Kaiser family foundation (KFF),as detailed in a KFF analysis. Even a later restoration of these subsidies may not prevent some from foregoing coverage due to perceived high costs. “If they don’t do something in 30 days, people are going to see big jumps in their health insurance,” Ricca said.
The shutdown also carries political risks for Republicans and former President Trump, as the affected population ofen includes working-class individuals who have been supportive of Trump and the “MAGA” movement. “These are not people desperately poor. These are often people who are in the working class, who use the subsidy to get access to health care when it doesn’t come through their job,” Ricca explained. “I think they’ve been somewhat supportive of Trump and MAGA,and they will not be happy to see that jump.”
While funding for federal qualified health centers (CHCs) has already expired, operations are expected to continue for the immediate future. Amy Simmons, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), stated in an email that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has indicated sufficient funds are available “to maintain CHC operations and staffing while government services are paused.” These centers currently serve a record number of patients,reaching up to 52 million,according to Simmons.
However,other public health functions are already being affected.Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, warned of “considerable” impacts. The shutdown affects many functions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including disease surveillance and funding for state and local health departments. The CDC provides critical support for tracking diseases like Covid and the flu, and offers grants for chronic disease prevention and vaccine programs.
Furthermore,emergency services provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be reduced or delayed,and funding for biomedical research is also at risk. Gostin emphasized the escalating danger: “The longer the shutdown goes on, the greater the risks to public health. The shutdown has lifesaving impacts on America’s most vulnerable citizens.”
