Benefits

During Covid the Biden administration offered enhanced subsidies for Obamacare and this doubled the number of participants from 12 million to 24 million at a cost of $1,400 per person. These are set to expire at the end of 2025 and the democrats want to make them permanent. They will not agree to reopen the government until these subsidies are codified and this is the main hold up on the shutdown. Once benefits are given it is difficult to take them back. These benefits were enacted by congress and can only be extended by congress. The law allowed people with incomes higher than 400% of the poverty level to get subsidies. Lowered the premium free coverage up to 150% of poverty level. Income at 400% of poverty level for a family of four is $124,800.