What A Day Rural Healthcare Is At Stake In The Shutdown Fight
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Oct 16, 2025 Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, dives into the implications of the government shutdown on rural health care. She discusses the critical nature of ACA subsidies and how their potential loss threatens farmers and access to local hospitals. Baldwin emphasizes the urgency of the situation for constituents and advocates for policies to lower health care costs, including transparency measures. With pressing issues like these at stake, she shares insights on the urgent need for a government reopening to support federal workers.
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Subsidies Are The Stopgap Against Price Spikes
- The ACA premium tax credits are the hinge preventing massive premium spikes for millions of Americans.
- Their expiration plus Medicaid cuts would especially devastate rural hospitals and residents.
Private Concern, Public Silence From Republicans
- Some Republican lawmakers privately hear constituent urgency about ACA credits but avoid public pressure.
- Baldwin sees early signs of cracks among Republicans but wants louder, public action to avert harm.
Farmer And Hospital In Northwestern Wisconsin
- Senator Tammy Baldwin recounts a northwest Wisconsin farmer worrying about soaring marketplace premiums while losing money on soybeans.
- She also describes a rural critical access hospital facing a 50% margin cut and potential patient losses.