HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono said they did not vote in favor of reopening the federal government until health care subsidies are guaranteed for millions of Americans.
As the government shutdown enters its 41st day, thousands of federal workers in Hawaiʻi remain without pay as the Senate is working to finalize a deal to reopen the government.
Congressman Ed Case says while he supports getting federal employees back to work, he’s deeply concerned the proposal could cut off critical health care assistance for millions of Americans.
“Both the administration and the congressional majority have forced an artificial choice between sending our federal workers back to work and taking care of a health care crisis for 40 million Americans,” Case said. “We never had to make that choice.”
Case said the bill could pass the Senate as early as this week before heading to the House for a vote. He plans to return to Washington immediately after Veterans Day ceremonies.
According to the State of Hawaiʻi Insurance Division, roughly 22,800 Hawaiʻi residents are enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans. Of those, 84 percent — or more than 19,000 people — rely on federal subsidies that could be affected by the expiration of enhanced funding during the shutdown.
Camron Hurt, program manager for Common Cause Hawaiʻi, said those subsidies have kept health care affordable for many local families since the pandemic.
“Those subsidies kept health care costs low after the pandemic,” Hurt said. “Now, with them gone, some people could see premiums rise 100 to 300 percent — and even those with private insurance may eventually feel the effects.”
Hurt also praised Hawaiʻi’s senators for holding firm against any plan that would raise costs for local residents.
“They’ve had the same position from the start — we cannot vote for a government that doesn’t take care of our kūpuna, our keiki and our medical needs,” Hurt said.
Case says even if the Senate strikes a deal this week, it could take several days before paychecks resume — and both say another shutdown could happen early next year if Congress fails to agree on a long-term plan.
“This never should’ve happened,” Case said. “We have to stop forcing people to choose between their jobs and their health care.”