As the United States barrels toward another government shutdown, the debate over health care costs and coverage has reached a fever pitch in Washington. On September 30, 2025, Representative John B. Larson of Connecticut’s First District released a pointed statement after Senate Republicans rejected a plan designed to keep the government open. The political standoff, fueled by President Donald Trump’s recent directives to his party, has left millions of Americans caught in the crosshairs of both a looming shutdown and a mounting health care crisis.
According to Rep. Larson, the Republican budget, signed into law by President Trump, puts the health coverage of 15 million Americans at risk. In Connecticut’s First District alone, 37,000 residents could lose their health insurance if the current trajectory continues. The stakes are particularly high for those dependent on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, as key provisions and tax credits are set to expire unless Congress acts swiftly.
“Donald Trump told his Republican minions to prioritize politics over people, because he believes he can shut down government to enact his agenda while placing blame on Democrats,” said Larson, in a statement reported by congressional press offices. He did not mince words about the impact on everyday Americans, adding, “All of this is coming from a president who has never had to worry about the cost of health care or groceries – the real things that keep working families up at night. He does not care about working people. He will not lose a moment’s sleep thinking about anyone who will suffer because of this shutdown, his Medicaid cuts, or the skyrocketing health care costs he signed into law.”
The Democratic caucus, led by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, has put forward a plan they say would keep the government funded through October 31, 2025, and avert the health care crisis. Their proposal seeks to reverse cuts to Medicaid and the ACA, extend premium tax credits that help more than 20 million Americans afford health insurance, and provide additional funding for the security of Members of Congress, executive branch officials, and judges in the wake of recent threats. Perhaps most crucially, the plan includes a provision to ensure that any spending agreement passed by Congress cannot be ignored by the Trump Administration.
But with Speaker Johnson having canceled votes and recessed the House for the week, the path to compromise looks rocky. Democrats have accused Republicans of following President Trump’s advice to “not even bother” negotiating—a move that, according to Larson, prioritizes politics over the well-being of constituents. “Unlike House Republicans who left town once President Trump told them to ‘not even bother’ negotiating, our priority is the people. Democrats have a plan to keep government open and protect Americans from rising premiums. We are ready to end this shutdown and Donald Trump’s health care crisis. Republicans need to stop taking marching orders from their out-of-touch president and come to the table,” Larson said.
While the drama unfolds on Capitol Hill, the economic realities facing American families are growing starker by the day. According to new data from Mercer, health care costs are projected to rise by 6.5% in 2026, while wage growth is expected to lag behind at just 3%. This marks the fourth consecutive year of rising health care costs, a trend that’s putting a growing strain on household budgets. Sunit Patel, chief actuary of U.S. Health at Mercer, explained to national outlets that “about 60% of employers are planning not only to increase payroll contributions, but, as you alluded to, increasing cost sharing at the point of service — so that could be co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance or out-of-pocket maximums.”
Patel noted that during the pandemic, many employers made a concerted effort to absorb rising costs in order to shield employees from financial pain. But as inflation, an aging population, and the introduction of newer, more expensive treatments have driven up costs, employers are now passing more of the burden onto workers. “I think the cost pressures are more significant, and even though there is a focus on employee health and well-being, there's certainly just a financial reality,” Patel said.
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2024 annual report found that coverage costs rose about 24% between 2019 and 2024, but wage growth during that period largely kept pace. Now, with costs projected to continue outpacing wages, families are bracing for even tighter financial squeezes. For residents of Connecticut’s First District, the situation is particularly dire: if ACA tax credits expire, 19,000 people in the district will face premium increases, with the average family of four seeing annual premiums rise by $2,571, according to data cited by Rep. Larson.
These increases are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent real choices and sacrifices for millions of Americans. For some, it could mean deciding between paying for health insurance or other necessities like rent, groceries, or childcare. For others, it could result in losing coverage altogether, with potentially devastating consequences for their health and financial security.
Behind the scenes, the factors driving these increases are complex and multifaceted. Inflation has pushed up the price of everything from hospital stays to prescription drugs. The nation’s aging population is using more health care services, and the advent of cutting-edge treatments—while often life-saving—comes with hefty price tags. Employers, caught between rising costs and limited ability to raise wages, are forced to make tough decisions about how much of the burden to pass on to employees.
Against this backdrop, the political fight in Washington takes on even greater significance. Democrats argue that their plan would protect Americans from the worst of the impending crisis by preserving Medicaid and ACA funding, extending premium tax credits, and shoring up the government’s ability to function. Republicans, for their part, have so far rejected the proposal, with President Trump urging his party to hold firm in pursuit of broader policy goals—though critics accuse him of playing politics with people’s livelihoods.
The current impasse is a vivid illustration of how national political battles can have immediate, concrete effects on ordinary Americans. As the deadline for a government shutdown looms, the fate of health care coverage for millions hangs in the balance. The choices made in the coming days will ripple far beyond the halls of Congress, shaping the daily realities of families in Connecticut and across the nation.
For now, the message from Rep. Larson and his Democratic colleagues is clear: the time for political gamesmanship is over. With health care costs rising and coverage at risk, they say, it’s time for both parties to return to the negotiating table and put the needs of the American people first.
