As the federal government shutdown approaches nearly a month, the fight over access to health care for Americans is at the center of the standoff between Republicans and Democrats.

Democrats want to extend enhanced tax credits for people who use the Affordable Care Act marketplace that are set to expire at the end of the year. Experts say this will cause insurance costs across the country to skyrocket, forcing some to become uninsured.

An estimated 24 million Americans now rely on the ACA, or Obamacare, to get their health insurance.

Democrats are also pushing to reverse cuts to Medicaid enacted as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy bill passed this summer.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi recently toured Loretto Hospital in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood to hear abou

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