AFT President condemns government shutdown, urges healthcare solution

Government Shutdown Sparks Healthcare Concerns

WASHINGTON—The recent decision by President Trump and congressional allies to defund healthcare rather than keep the government operational has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed concern over the impact of the shutdown on American workers and citizens reliant on government services.

Weingarten highlighted the adverse effects of the shutdown, stating, “The American people are always the ones hurt when the government shuts down. It locks out workers and hurts Americans who need government services.” She criticized the choice to defund the government instead of tackling the healthcare issues created by the July omnibus bill. This legislation threatens the closure or reduction of services at clinics and rural hospitals, potentially leaving millions without health insurance or facing increased premiums. These changes, Weingarten argues, benefit corporations and wealthy individuals through tax breaks.

With the shutdown in place, Weingarten noted that the situation has worsened. She stated, “Rather than stopping premium hikes for millions of Americans losing their healthcare subsidies, they are holding the American people hostage, refusing to fund essential services unless their harmful policies remain in place.” The shutdown also poses a risk to federal workers through potential illegal mass layoffs, further impacting essential services.

Reflecting on historical context, Weingarten pointed out that the first government shutdown under a single-party control of Congress and the White House occurred in 2018 during Trump’s presidency. She urges current leaders to focus on negotiations that would protect healthcare, reduce everyday costs, and prioritize reopening the government to support American workers.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents a diverse group, including 1.8 million members ranging from pre-K to 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, and healthcare workers, among others.