As the government shutdown stretches into its second week, Meidas Health devoted its latest episode to the human toll of political dysfunction. Hosted by Dr. Vin Gupta with co-host Dr. Kavita Patel, a former policy director in the Obama White House, the episode featured Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who issued a stark warning that millions of Americans could soon face skyrocketing health insurance premiums unless Congress acts to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end.
“Republicans spent the summer extending tax breaks for billionaires,” Murray said, “but failed to extend the tax credits for people on the ACA.” The result, she explained, is that families now paying $300 a month for coverage could see premiums jump to over $1,800, an increase that could force thousands to forgo insurance altogether. “This is a horrific decision for families to have to make,” she added. “Their goal is to hurt people, not help people.”
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Patel pressed Murray on how misinformation and cynicism are undermining public trust in health care, from vaccine disinformation to state-level restrictions on discussing diversity and equity. Murray responded with urgency and empathy: “It just breaks my heart… We work to make sure people’s lives are better. We don’t threaten them with fear.”
Dr. Gupta, who leads Meidas Health as part of the MeidasTouch Network’s broader pro-democracy mission, underscored how the shutdown has rippled through every corner of American health care, from delayed research funding to furloughed federal health workers. Murray agreed, citing the thousands of government employees, contractors, and food safety inspectors who are now sidelined. “Republicans need to wake up, come to the table, and negotiate with us,” she said. “The House hasn’t even been in session for three weeks. You can’t negotiate if you’re not here.”
Murray, who helped craft the Affordable Care Act and has led key health committees in the Senate, warned that the consequences of inaction will be both economic and moral. “Every family I know worries about the cost of health care,” she said. “This will all come crashing down when those letters go out telling people their costs are going up.”
Closing the interview, she issued a call to action: “It’s like a soccer game for ten-year-olds. We have to don’t think, ‘Oh shoot, we did good today.’ We need to play through right now because the end of this game is serious. The consequences are huge for families in every single state.”
Dr. Gupta ended the episode by urging listeners to stay informed and engaged: “Independent media like this exists so that facts, and science, can still guide policy, even in times of political chaos.”
Watch this episode above or listen more interviews on the MeidasTouch Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Support initiatives like Meidas Health by joining right now as a paid subscriber to this Substack. Scroll down for links to all past episodes of Meidas Health.
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