And joining me now is Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. Senator Kaine, welcome back to Meet the Press. >> Glad to be with you, Kristen. Thanks. >> Well, it's wonderful to have you back. Let's talk about the government reopening. You were, of course, one of eight Democrats in your caucus to vote to reopen the government in exchange for a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. But here's what you told me last month, Senator, about taking that kind of a deal. Take a look. offering a vote in the Senate ...

The GOP-led House passed a spending package reopening the government and President Trump signed it into law late Wednesday, drawing to a close a record-long 43-day shutdown driven by Democrats’ demands to extend expiring healthcare subsides. 🔗 https://t.co/Dakw4RIFSq https://t.co/qXphT0nO0s ...

This weekend, as the millions of Americans who sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act began to enroll, they will see the largest increase in costs since this law went into effect over a decade ago. Without those so-called enhanced subsidies or tax credits put in place during the pandemic in 2021 and set to expire at the end of this year, some Americans could see their monthly premiums double or even triple next year. That's on top of insurers raising those premiums, an estimated nearly ...

As the shutdown drags on, the pressure is on more and more Americans set to become more severe. And both parties are framing the looming lapse in food assistance for millions of Americans known as SNAP and the looming spike in health care premiums as a way to force the other side to make concessions. Look, on November 1st, more than people in people in more than 30 states are going to be a gasast a gasast when they see their bills and they're going to cry out.And I believe there will be increased pressure o ...

Uh joining us now, Punchwell co-founder and MSNBC political analyst uh Jake Sherman and MSNBC reporter Laura Hayley, who is at a food bank open specifically for federal employees today right here in New York City. Laura, I'm going to begin with you. Tell us about the real life impact. What are you seeing? >> Yeah, like so many food banks across the country, Food Bank for New York City here in Queens held a distribution for federal workers only. Now, they have these distributions all the time, but this one s ...

Joining us now, staff writer at The Atlantic, Tuloo Ola Ronipa, Punch Bowl co-founder and MSNBC political contributor Jake Sherman, former Montana Senator and MSNBC political analyst John Tester, and writer at large and host of the Bull Work Podcast, Tim Miller. He is also an MSNBC political analyst. Saloo, you write a piece about this entire situation entitled Trump is trying and failing to shield MAGA from the shutdown. You write, quote, "Farmers, a key constituency for Trump, are among those getting hurt ...

Healthcare Policy & Subsidies - Democrats are prioritizing the restoration of healthcare subsidies, despite potential political ramifications [1][15] - Failure to extend subsidies could more than double premium payments for ACA plans on average, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation [2] - The lapse of subsidies affects a broad range of people, not just lower-income individuals, potentially leading to increased uncompensated care costs [6][7] - Enhanced premium subsidies led to a doubling of Affordable Care Act plan enrollment, from approximately 12 million to 24 million people [11] Enrollment & Market Impact - Open enrollment has already begun in some states, with individuals window shopping and potentially being deterred by higher premiums without subsidies [3][4] - If subsidies are not extended, people may not re-enroll even if Congress eventually continues the tax credits [5] - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the cost of uncompensated care will increase if subsidies go away, leading to higher insurance costs for those already insured [8] Political Implications - A significant portion (six in 10) of ACA recipients reside in congressional districts represented by Republicans, creating political irony [12] - Republicans may face blame if people lose their health insurance due to subsidy expiration, potentially impacting midterm elections [14]

>> THIS IS THE BALANCE OF POWER, LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.. >> FROM BLOOMBERG WASHINGTON, D.C. HEADQUARTERS TO TV AND RADIO AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE WELCOME TO BALANCE POWER. I’M JOE MATHIEU. TONIGHT, WASHINGTON GRIDLOCKED WITHOUT ANY EASY WAY OUT. >> THE HOUSE IS DONE FOR THE BALL IS IN THE SENATE'S COURT. IT DOES US NO GOOD TO BE HERE DITHERING ON SHOW VOTES. WE SENT THE PRODUCT OVER AND IT IS CLEAN, 20 EIGHT PAGES, THE BARE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON FOR THE PEOPLE. >> HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE HERE A ...

Healthcare Policy & Subsidies - The debate centers on healthcare, specifically Obamacare subsidies, impacting families' open enrollment decisions [1] - 24 million Americans could see their healthcare costs double, and 4 million could lose coverage entirely in the coming months [5] - 78% of Americans support extending ACA subsidies [6] - The subsidies are set to expire on December 31st, leaving a 3-month negotiation window [2] - 30,000 people in one district in southwest Ohio could see their healthcare premiums double, and 14,000 could lose coverage starting January 1 [11] Government Shutdown & Political Stance - The government shutdown is impacting healthcare, with long-term care facilities and rural hospitals potentially shutting down, and hospitals laying off staff [15][16] - There are conflicting reports regarding communication between parties since the Oval Office meeting [16] - Some Republicans are reportedly uncomfortable with the strategy of waiting for Democrats to agree on a clean continuing resolution [9][10] - The President is being urged to facilitate a deal to reopen the government and protect healthcare [8][12]

Government Shutdown & Healthcare Debate - The central issue is the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, impacting 24 million Americans [1] - Democrats advocate for protecting Americans' healthcare, viewing it as a human right [2][5] - Republicans are accused of causing the shutdown and opposing healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants, claims the White House and Republicans [1] - The debate includes disagreements over Medicaid eligibility for illegal aliens and able-bodied young men [3] Financial Implications of ACA Subsidies - Failure to extend ACA subsidies could double monthly premiums for those receiving them [4] - A specific example cites a couple with an income of $82,000 annually facing a $15,000 premium increase if tax credits are not extended [6] - The potential premium increase could force individuals to forego medical treatment or insurance [6] Political & Strategic Considerations - The shutdown is perceived by some as a response to President Trump's power grabs [7] - Deep distrust exists within the Democratic base regarding its leadership [7] - Democrats express confidence that voters will see the fight as worthwhile, emphasizing Republican control and the need to protect healthcare [8][9] - The Trump administration is accused of inflicting maximum pain on Democratic-run states through budget freezes and potential firings [10][12] Impact on Constituents & Military Families - The shutdown could disproportionately affect military families, with 44,000 military families in San Diego already visiting food banks monthly [11] - Concerns are raised about the ability of these families to forego a paycheck [11]