AFT President criticizes Trump over government shutdown and healthcare crisis

Government Shutdown Ends, but ACA Tax Credits Not Restored

WASHINGTON—In a significant development, the House voted to conclude the federal government shutdown initiated by President Trump and Republican lawmakers. However, the move left many Americans dismayed as Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits were not reinstated.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents 1.8 million members including educators and healthcare workers, has been vocally opposing the potential healthcare crisis that looms due to the absence of these tax credits. AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed concern over the lack of action by Congress and the president to address critical issues like funding the government, ensuring payment for workers, and reducing costs for citizens, particularly in healthcare.

Weingarten criticized the administration's approach during the shutdown, stating, "Rather than working with Democrats to lower healthcare costs, they fired thousands of federal employees, snarled air transportation and denied food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, putting up to 42 million Americans at risk of going hungry."

The discontinuation of ACA tax credits is projected to have severe consequences. Research indicates that 8,811 people could die while 4.8 million may lose health insurance. Additionally, in 2026 alone, 340,000 jobs could be lost, and hospitals might face a $32 billion loss.

Weingarten questioned the administration's commitment to supporting working families, stating, "How is this administration supporting working families? It’s not." She highlighted that the Senate majority leader has agreed to a separate vote on the ACA tax credits, providing Republicans with a chance to support their constituents by extending these credits. Failure to act, she warned, would result in skyrocketing healthcare premiums on January 1.

As the debate continues, the AFT vows to remind voters of the choices made by their representatives regarding these critical healthcare issues.

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The AFT represents a diverse group of professionals including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, nurses, and early childhood educators.