Democrats want to avoid a government shutdown by ensuring that any funding legislation includes the reversal of Medicaid cuts enacted by Republicans earlier in 2025 and the continuation of healthcare subsidies established under the Affordable Care Act. They insist that healthcare provisions, including the preservation of subsidies that make insurance affordable for millions and protection of Medicaid funding, must be part of any funding deal to keep the government open. Democrats argue that a shutdown would lead to higher healthcare costs for many Americans and could negatively impact federal workers and public health programs. They have shown a willingness to negotiate but are firm that healthcare must be addressed before agreeing to government funding extensions. Democrats emphasize that their stance is to protect healthcare access and oppose efforts to reduce these benefits, while they reject claims that they want to extend benefits to undocumented immigrants, which they say is inaccurate. They do not want a shutdown but see it as a consequence of not meeting these healthcare demands amid Republican resistance.
