It has been a month since congressional Republicans chose to shut down the federal government rather than work with Democrats to stop steep hikes in health insurance premiums and fund essential programs like SNAP. More than 20 million people who buy their own health insurance are now facing premium hikes averaging over $1,000 a year, all because Trump and MAGA Republicans refused to renew the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that keep marketplace plans affordable.

At the same time, over 42 million Americans (including millions of children) are losing access to food assistance this November due to Republican inaction. Families are paying the price for a political stunt designed to strip away healthcare, gut SNAP, and push new tax cuts for the wealthy.

This was never about partisanship, it’s about protecting people. Families shouldn’t have to choose between healthcare and groceries. Trump and MAGA Republicans caused this shutdown. They own the skyrocketing premiums, the lost coverage, and the hunger families are feeling across America. Now it’s time for Congress to end the shutdown, renew the ACA tax credits, fund SNAP, and put working families first.

This toolkit provides updated messaging, key talking points, and action guidance to help communities, advocates, and elected officials expose Republican priorities, highlight the harm of the shutdown, and call for immediate action to protect affordable healthcare and food security for working families.

Core Message

Tell Congress to end the shutdown, renew ACA tax credits, restore SNAP funding, and put families—not billionaires and insurance companies—first.

How to Frame It

This shutdown isn’t about politics—it’s about people. Families are struggling with higher health care costs and rising grocery bills while Trump and congressional Republicans fight to cut healthcare and block food assistance.

Republicans shut down the government to end health care tax credits that make coverage affordable, even as private insurers announced double-digit premium increases for 2026. They are driving up costs for working people while wasting taxpayer money on luxury perks and bailouts for the wealthy.

Democrats are fighting to lower essential costs for families, renew the ACA tax credits, and fully fund programs like SNAP. Republicans could end the shutdown today by coming to the table and abandoning their prioritization of billionaire campaign funders over the people they work for.

Show the Impact

• Over 20 million Americans will likely see their premiums rise by more than $1,000 a year.

• 4.6 million people are at risk of losing coverage altogether if premium tax credits expire.

• Families already facing an 18% premium increase for 2026 will be hit even harder without action.

• Over 42 million people, including millions of children, will lose food assistance this month.

• Small businesses, contractors, and the self-employed are being crushed by higher costs and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is spending:

• $40 billion on a bailout of Argentina

• $170 million on two private jets for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

• $300 million to build a White House ballroom

These are the wrong priorities. Working families are struggling to afford basics while the GOP spends lavishly on the wealthy few.

• Trump and congressional Republicans shut down the government to end the ACA premium tax credits that 22 million Americans rely on for affordable coverage.

• As a result, average premiums are rising by more than $1,000 a year, and millions could lose coverage altogether.

• Republicans also blocked SNAP funding, leaving 42 million Americans without food assistance starting in November.

• Democrats are fighting to lower costs, renew ACA credits, and keep food on the table for families.

• The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, stripping coverage from seniors, disabled people, and low-income families.

• Trump’s administration is doubling down on tariffs that could raise prescription drug costs for millions.

• This shutdown isn’t about saving money—it’s about sabotaging affordable healthcare and gutting public programs that help ordinary people survive.

• The White House has already directed agencies to prepare for mass layoffs if Congress doesn’t act, showing how reckless and dangerous this standoff has become.

Bottom line:

Republicans chose this shutdown. They chose higher premiums, empty pantries, and wasteful spending—all while families suffer.

SOUND THE ALARM:  

• Share the truth: Republicans shut down the government to end the ACA tax credits that keep health insurance affordable.

• Let people know what’s at stake: Millions could lose coverage and millions more will pay hundreds or thousands more each year.

• Use your voice to call out the lies, highlight the stakes, and demand action to protect healthcare and food access.

WRITE & SPEAK OUT:

• Publish op-eds or letters to the editor about what affordable healthcare and SNAP mean for your community.

• Share stories from your family, small business, or neighborhood about how rising costs are affecting you.

• Stress the bottom line: Protecting ACA tax credits keeps coverage within reach, while Republicans’ shutdown threatens it all.

REACH MORE PEOPLE:

Democrats and community leaders should continue finding creative ways to reach people— especially those less likely to follow political news: 

• Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) hosted an Instagram conversation with CMS Director Chiquita Brooks-LaSure about healthcare cuts.

• Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) held a Reddit AMA on the shutdown that reached thousands.

• Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) published a Substack post sharing stories from Ohioans impacted by the shutdown.

Follow their lead: go where people already are, and make sure they understand that Republicans own these rate hikes and price increases.

Government Shutdown Content

• Democrats bet the House on health care - The Hill

• White House to agencies: Prepare mass firing plans for a potential shutdown - Politico

• White House says to prep for mass firings if government shuts down - BBC

• Leading Organizations Launch Ad Campaign to Defend Healthcare in Face of Potential Republican Government Shutdown - Citizen.org

• Americans in the Battleground Want Congress to Protect Health Care — Even If It Means Shutting Down the Government - Navigator

• NEW: Updated State-by-State & Congressional District Data on Health Insurance Losses from Medicaid, ACA Cuts - JEC

• 4.8 Million People Will Lose Coverage in 2026 If Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire - URBAN