Shutdown Ends, But Millions Face Higher Healthcare Premiums

WASHINGTON – President Trump and Republican lawmakers are celebrating a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, bringing an end to the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Notably, they achieved this without giving in to key Democratic demands.

The House is set to vote as early as wednesday, following the Senate’s advancement of the measure on Monday night. Sixty senators – including seven Democrats and one independent – voted to move forward. Most House Democrats are expected to oppose the continuing resolution, as it doesn’t extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, a major sticking point during negotiations.

The outcome? Healthcare premiums are set to dramatically increase. Independent analysts predict premiums will more than double for over 20 million Americans using the healthcare marketplace. Out-of-pocket payments will jump from an average of $888 to $1,904 annually, according to KFF.

Senate Democrats who supported reopening the government say they received a commitment from Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for a vote on extending the tax credits next month. However,that vote is likely to fail along party lines. Even if it did pass the Senate,House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) hasn’t promised a vote in the House.

This resolution comes at a critical moment for the U.S. aviation industry, just before the busy Thanksgiving travel season. The shutdown caused a surge in sick calls among federal employees in the aviation sector, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a directive slowing operations at major airports.

Lawmakers are working quickly to vote before federal employees in aviation…