1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

The ongoing government shutdown has reached a critical juncture, and I urge you to stand firm on including healthcare funding in any budget agreement. The current proposal to separate healthcare from the immediate funding package is deeply concerning and puts the health of countless Americans at risk. For 40 days, our nation has grappled with the consequences of this shutdown. Federal workers have gone without pay, food aid programs have been disrupted, and our national parks have suffered. Now, as we approach Thanksgiving, even our air travel system is under threat due to staffing shortages in air traffic control. The economic impact is severe, with advisers warning of potential negative growth if the shutdown persists. However, reopening the government cannot come at the expense of Americans' healthcare. The expiration of pandemic-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans looms large, threatening significant premium increases for many. Delaying action on this critical issue is not an option. The House Republicans' track record does not inspire confidence that they will address healthcare funding in good faith if it's left for later consideration. I strongly oppose any 'compromise' that fails to secure healthcare funding. Such a deal would be a capitulation, not a solution. The combination of short-term funding with full-year appropriations bills must include provisions to extend ACA subsidies and address other pressing healthcare needs. As my representative, I ask you to prioritize the health and well-being of your constituents. Insist on including healthcare funding in the current budget negotiations. Do not allow this critical issue to be pushed aside or used as a future bargaining chip. The stability of our healthcare system and the financial security of millions of Americans depend on your steadfast advocacy. The stakes are too high for half-measures or delayed action. Stand firm, protect our healthcare, and ensure that any budget deal addresses both the immediate need to reopen the government and the long-term health security of the American people.