As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, some Americans are worried about the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The subsidies, or premium tax credits, help lower or eliminate the out-of-pocket cost of monthly premiums for those who purchase insurance through the health insurance marketplace. They were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic and are currently set to expire at the end of 2025. Democrats have been demanding that Republicans pass extensions of the subsidies before the government is reopened, while the GOP says it won't negotiate until a clean funding bill passes and the government reopens. A recent analysis from KFF found that premium payments could more than double in 2026 if the ACA enhanced premium tax credits expire. Some Americans who rely

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