Rep. Jasmine Crockett: Republicans are using the shutdown as an excuse to pursue 'inhumane' policies

Healthcare Policy & Political Strategy - Republicans are perceived to be using healthcare as a political game, potentially harming constituents [1] - The Republican healthcare bill is seen as providing tax breaks to billionaires while jeopardizing healthcare for 15 million people and increasing costs for tens of millions more [1] - Democrats propose maintaining healthcare access and fighting for the American people [1] - The Democratic party acknowledges being behind in messaging compared to Republicans, particularly in media presence and influencer engagement [2] - Moderate House Republicans are reportedly considering a year-long extension of healthcare subsidies, facing opposition from the Freedom Caucus [2] Economic Impact of Healthcare Changes - Repealing the tax break could negatively impact even upper-income Americans buying insurance on the ACA exchanges [3] - A 55-year-old couple making $85,000 annually could see their health insurance costs more than triple to $24,535 per year due to Republican legislators' actions [3] - A trillion dollars is projected to be removed from the healthcare ecosystem due to the "big ugly bill" [4] - Reduced funding in the healthcare system could lead to specialist shortages, hospital closures, and increased healthcare costs for everyone [5] Potential Solutions & Concerns - The key is to stand strong with the truth, which is the Democratic proposal is to keep tens of millions of people on their healthcare and lower costs [1] - Federal workers are encouraged to find ways to communicate the impact of the shutdown in a way that resonates with the administration [4] - The focus should be on delivering meaningful solutions for the American people, not just temporary fixes [3]