BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Sen. Peter Welch is raising alarm bells about the impact of expiring health care benefits as the shutdown of the federal government continues.

Democrats are holding out support for the federal spending plan unless Republicans negotiate on extending health care subsidies, which will sunset in the next few months.

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One business owner who pays $460 a month says her payments will nearly triple if the tax credits expire.

Welch says if costs go up, people will skip insurance, go to the hospital and put pressure on our health care system.

“This puts wicked pressure on our community hospitals

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