Dawn Wheeler followed every twist and turn of the government shutdown. In some ways, she said, she felt like her life was on the line.
The 59-year-old from Edwardsville, Kansas, is one of millions of Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and who could see the cost of her premium skyrocket next year unless Congress extends COVID-19-era ACA tax credits.
Democratic lawmakers had been pushing to include an extension of the Obamacare subsidies in a spending package to reopen the government. But eight Senate Democrats relented on those demands and voted with Republicans Nov. 10 to end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown. Shortly after, the compromise passed in the House, and President Donald Trump signed it into law, without the health care measure.
More: ACA health insurance tax credits could end in December. How will you be affected?
Now, patient advocates say, the subsidies face an uphill path to passage before the end of the year, when premiums could more than double.
