Government Shutdown & Potential Solutions - The government shutdown is the second longest in US history, impacting essential employees and troops [1] - A potential solution is to allow a vote on paying the troops and essential federal workers in a bipartisan way [1] - Congressman Ro Khanna suggests Speaker Johnson should open up Congress for a vote on these critical issues [1] - Automatic funding proposals could prevent future shutdowns [1] Healthcare Costs & Reform - Healthcare premiums are rising significantly, with examples cited of premiums increasing by $20,000 for individuals making $80,000 in Oregon [1] - The current healthcare system, particularly the Affordable Care Act, is deemed unaffordable [1] - Private insurance companies made $171 billion in profits, suggesting a need to address dead weight costs [1] - Potential reforms include tackling Medicare Advantage fraud, addressing high drug prices through Trump's executive order, and increasing transparency in facility fees [2] - The US pays two to three times more for pharmaceuticals than other developed countries like Germany and Japan [2] - Bipartisan legislation is needed to lower healthcare costs, addressing the influence of pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies [3][4]