WASHINGTON — With the government shutdown in its ninth day and no sign of serious negotiations between the parties to end it, Democrats are counting on sticker shock putting pressure on Republicans when Americans start seeing rising health insurance costs during this fall’s open enrollment period.

That period beings Oct. 15 in Idaho, earlier than every other state, a fact Sen. Patty Murray of Washington sought to highlight in a virtual news conference on Thursday with Idaho State Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, a fellow Democrat. While Republicans control the House, Senate and White House, passing a funding bill to reopen the government requires the help of Democrats, who are demanding the GOP extend expiring subsidies that lower the cost of insurance premiums.

“If Republican lea

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