CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the federal government shutdown continues, questions are rising over how it might affect healthcare coverage, especially Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

For now, Medicare’s core benefits are still running.

Payments to hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies are continuing because Medicare funding is considered mandatory spending and doesn’t rely on the annual budget process that’s currently on hold.

However, the real concern is for people who receive free or discounted coverage through the Affordable Care Act or low-income Medicare assistance programs.

The expanded tax credits that have helped lower premiums for many Americans are set to expire at the end of the year. If that happens, some enrollees could see their monthly premiums more than double.

The

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