Families USA Statement on Senate Package to End the Government Shutdown

11.10.2025 /Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Anthony Wright, Families USA's Executive Director, issued the following statement in response to the legislative package that will end the 40-day partial government shutdown.

"The shutdown may be ending, but the fight to contain health care costs must continue. More than 22 million Americans who purchase their own health coverage are now at risk of facing skyrocketing premiums or losing their coverage altogether.

"We are profoundly disappointed that this agreement includes only a promise of a future vote on extending the enhanced premium tax credits that millions of Americans depend on to afford their coverage.

"Outside of D.C., these tax credits are not a partisan issue - as our recent polling confirmed, voters overwhelmingly support lowering health care costs, with 73% supporting an extension of the ACA tax credits.

"With open enrollment for 2026 coverage already underway, families are making decisions about their health and finances now - they cannot afford to wait another month for Congress to act. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that even if the tax credits are extended at the end of the year, over a million and a half Americans will lose coverage from the sticker shock and may never come back. Every day we delay causes damage to American families and the health system we all rely on.

"Americans deserve stability, security and the peace of mind that their health coverage will remain within reach. By refusing to extend tax credits, Congress is sowing chaos and confusion into the marketplace, leaving consumers, insurers and state officials scrambling in uncertainty about what coverage will cost and who will be able to afford it.

"Shockingly, President Trump and his allies were willing to cut off food assistance to children and fire federal public servants rather than to simply extend an existing tax credit to prevent a premium price spike of hundreds or thousands of dollars for millions of Americans. While we are relieved to finally see an end to the longest government shutdown in history - getting federal workers back on the job and ensuring that essential safety net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can continue - we must continue the fight to contain health costs. Americans need a permanent extension of help for health care premiums, and a broader effort to address health care affordability overall."