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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all.
On the web at theschmidt.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
Chapter 2: What are the implications of President Trump's proposed changes during the government shutdown?
President Trump says he will reshape the federal workforce during the government shutdown. On social media, Trump said he is discussing spending and personnel cuts, evaluating, quote, which of the many Democrat agencies would be cut. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is blaming Trump and congressional Republicans for the shutdown.
What's clear is that the American people know who shut the government down, and it's Donald Trump and Republicans. That's clearly the American people, because Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the presidency. And Republicans, the Trump administration, have been engaging in mass firings since the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency.
Democrats are holding out on Republican proposals to fund the government at current levels in an effort to pass an extension of tax credits for Affordable Care Act insurance plans. Those Obamacare tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year. As NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports, a new analysis finds the premiums people pay for those health plans are set to double.
This goes back to a 2021 law that created enhanced premium tax credits. Those run out at the end of December unless Congress acts. Cynthia Cox of the health research organization KFF just co-authored an analysis on what will happen to people's premiums next year.
On average, we're expecting premium payments by enrollees to increase by 114%. if these enhanced tax credits expire.
So that means a lot of people are going to have to pay double the monthly premium they're paying now.
Or they might switch to a plan with a much higher deductible, or they might lose their coverage.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that if the enhanced tax credits expire over the next several years, 4 million people will become uninsured. Selina Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.
The Trump administration is asking nine schools, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to adopt certain policies in exchange for preferential treatment in federal funding. From member station GBH, Kirk Carapazza reports that some university officials are objecting to the proposal.
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