Sen. Mark Kelly: We're trying to prevent 2 million people from losing their health care coverage

Government Shutdown & Negotiation - The discussion revolves around the need for negotiation between Democrats and Republicans to resolve the government shutdown [2][8] - Democrats have been requesting negotiations with Republicans for weeks, particularly regarding the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans [2] - Republicans propose reopening the government in exchange for a process and vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits [8] - The President needs to engage with Mike Johnson and John Thun to facilitate a resolution [16] Affordable Care Act (ACA) & Healthcare Coverage - The shutdown is impacting millions of people, potentially causing 2 million people to lose their healthcare coverage [14] - Loss of healthcare coverage could lead to adverse outcomes, including death and bankruptcy for tens of thousands of people annually [14][15] - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are crucial for many individuals and families to afford healthcare [6] - Rising premiums, potentially increasing from $600 to $4,000 per month in some states like Alaska, make healthcare unaffordable for many [9] Political Stance & Precedent - Democrats emphasize the importance of preventing people from losing healthcare coverage [14] - Republicans are accused of using the shutdown as a tactic to force their agenda [11] - Concerns are raised about setting a terrible precedent by using government shutdowns to force political opponents to comply [11]