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Friday, October 10, 2025

Michigan Democrats criticize GOP over potential shutdown impact on state health care

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U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin | Wikipedia

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin | Wikipedia

Michigan Democratic leaders have criticized Congressional Republicans for actions they say could lead to a federal government shutdown and higher health care costs for Michigan residents. The debate centers on proposed cuts to health care funding and the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which Democrats argue will result in significant increases in premiums.

Curtis Hertel, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said during an interview with Ryan Ermanni on ‘JR Afternoon,’ “This is very simple. John James, Tom Barrett, even Mike Rogers who’s been out there supporting this, cut money for health care for people and are going to increase premiums on people across the state in huge numbers to give tax breaks for billionaires. We said no, and we’re not going to continue down this path of supporting a policy that will hurt people while they give tax [cuts] to the most rich people in America.”

According to Michigan Advance, all six Democratic representatives from Michigan held a joint press conference after Congress missed its budget deadline. They expressed concerns about rising health care costs due to the exclusion of ACA tax credit extensions from Republican budget proposals. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet stated, “We hear Republicans over and over all saying that they want to restore the ACA [Affordable Care Act] tax credits. Put it on the floor, and we can end this tomorrow.” U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell added, “We are here because at some point you’ve got to fight for your constituents. Our colleagues appear that they’d rather shut down the government than make health care more affordable and address the affordability crisis we’re all hearing about every day.”

Members of Congress also criticized their Republican colleagues’ absence during negotiations. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib commented on Republicans adjourning instead of working toward a solution: “My colleagues not showing up yesterday, standing on the House floor was very shocking to me as they motioned to just adjourn.”

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin echoed these concerns in her own statement: “Since July, I have been very clear: any conversation about my vote needs to start with health care. President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ will result in every single Michigander either losing their health care or paying more than they already have.”

Hertel also spoke with Roop Raj on FOX 2 Detroit about potential impacts if current policies move forward: “We have a real crisis that’s going to happen with people’s health care. When you see the premiums that are about to skyrocket for American citizens, that all of our health care costs will go up, that we are at risk of having hospitals shut down, especially in rural areas in our state – somebody has to stand up and fight back for the American people,” he said.

He continued by highlighting Democrats’ efforts: “I’m proud that Democrats are standing up and saying: Enough is enough. You don’t get to give tax cuts to billionaires and pay for it on the backs of the rest of us with our health care costs – and that’s exactly what Republicans did.”

Hertel further noted differences between party attendance during recent sessions: “All Democrats were actually at work yesterday. We saw a Republican Congressman back at home, sitting at restaurants outside, enjoying the sun. They should go to work. They should actually negotiate and try to get something done for the American people.”

He raised concerns about hospital closures affecting rural communities: “I would suggest [to Republicans] talking to somebody who actually runs a rural hospital... I would talk to people in the U.P., who have already had one hospital go down... They’ll basically be doing triage and then shipping people out — in a place where there already was a reduction in service.”

The ongoing dispute highlights differing priorities between Michigan's congressional delegation members regarding federal budget negotiations and future access to affordable health care.

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