by: Tony Fay, 22 News
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The federal government shutdown has entered its ninth day with no resolution in sight, as lawmakers remain divided over health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
The ongoing impasse in Congress centers around the expiration of health insurance subsidies at the end of the year. Republicans are pushing for a ‘clean’ funding resolution that excludes the extension of these subsidies, while Democrats, including Springfield Congressman Richard Neal, insist that the subsidies must be part of any funding agreement.
“The result is that people are going to be looking at huge spikes in their health insurance premiums and up to 22 million people will be impacted by this, so we think the Affordable Care Act is worth the fight,” said Congressman Richard Neal, a Democrat from Springfield.
If the shutdown continues, most federal workers will not receive their scheduled pay on Friday, and active-duty troops are set to miss a paycheck next Wednesday.
As the shutdown drags on, the lack of agreement on health insurance subsidies continues to affect millions of Americans, with significant financial implications for federal workers and military personnel.
