As the government shutdown enters its 16th day, Rep. Katherine Clark, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, is placing healthcare at the center of the party’s messaging. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Clark emphasized that fighting for healthcare is the defining issue of the Democratic Party, especially amid the ongoing standoff that has paralyzed federal operations. The refusal to support a government funding package without extending the pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies has become a central demand for Democrats, who argue that allowing these subsidies to expire would lead to a crisis for millions of Americans suddenly facing higher healthcare costs.
The subsidies, which were part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan, have supported enhanced premium tax credits, making health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans. However, they are set to expire at the end of 2025, prompting warnings from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that the expiration could lead to a sudden and sharp increase in healthcare costs. Open enrollment for the enhanced premium tax credits is scheduled to begin on November 1, putting pressure on the government to reach an agreement before that deadline. Clark noted the growing urgency, stating, “We are watching a crisis come at us.”
Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are using the shutdown as leverage to push for an extension of the subsidies. Clark highlighted the political opportunity, stating, “This is a fight we are waging on behalf of the American people who are telling us, ‘We’re not making it.’ They deserve healthcare when they need it that they can afford and where they need it.” The Democratic strategy seems to be informed by GOP-led changes to Medicaid, including the Trump-era One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which shifted costs to states and imposed new reporting requirements.
Despite Democratic efforts, Republicans in the House have largely rebuffed the demands, with some conservative members calling the idea of negotiating on the healthcare issue a “non-starter.” The Senate has also failed to secure a vote to reopen the government, as the gridlock continues. With the shutdown entering its third week, the standoff shows no sign of resolution, leaving millions of families in uncertainty about their healthcare stability.