Rep. Mike Levin held a news conference in Encinitas on Friday, Oct. 3, to explain some of the ramifications of the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.
“What we see in Washington today is an administration trying to use this shutdown as an excuse to shrink government programs and undermine public servants. That’s not just reckless. It’s illegal. It’s unconstitutional. And it will not stand,” Levin, D-49th District, said in a news release after the event, which was held in the Encinitas City Council Chambers. “So let me be crystal clear. We must negotiate a solution now — before the October 15th notices hit San Diego mailboxes, before open enrollment begins, before families are priced out of coverage. And let me say this as plainly as I can: protecting health care for millions of Americans, hundreds of thousands of Californians, and tens of thousands of San Diegans is worth the fight.”
A sticking point that led to the shutdown, according to congressional Democrats, has been the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans’ pushback on extending Affordable Care Act health insurance premium tax credits.
“Residents who rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance premium tax credits to afford health care revealed that average health insurance premiums could more than double — from $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026 — if the tax credits are not extended by the end of the year,” Levin’s office stated in its news release. “The cost increase could force them to choose between health care and paying rent. Rep. Levin is pushing for an extension of the tax credits in any government funding deal.”
More than 600,000 California residents face being priced out of coverage, while more than 30,000 residents in the 49th Congressional District could see premiums skyrocket, according to Levin’s office.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-48th District, had not issued any extensive statements beyond social media regarding the shutdown as of Oct. 3.
“Here’s the bottom line: The Democrats demanded trillions in new government spending, tried to blackmail @realDonaldTrump and @HouseGOP, and when they didn’t get it, they shut down the government,” Issa said Oct. 1 in a tweet on X.
Republican Rep. Young Kim in nearby Orange County criticized the shutdown in a statement and said she would continue to push for a funding bill.
“Americans deserve better than this. We must work together to responsibly fund our government,” Kim, R-40th District, said in a statement on her website. “That’s why I supported a clean, short-term, bipartisan government funding bill to preserve progress on full-year appropriations and give Congress time to finish the job. I will keep working around the clock to get our government back up and running and keep our commitments to the American people.”
Covered California, the state’s ACA health insurance marketplace, had recently seen an increase in enrollment with enhanced premium tax credits, according to its chief physician.
“Since the enhanced premium tax credits have been in effect, Covered California has seen its enrollment grow by more than 23% statewide, and nearly 33% percent in this district, helping more people than ever access health insurance through the state marketplace,” Dr. Monica Soni said in Levin’s news release. “Without the enhanced premium tax credits, over 34,000 enrollees in the 49th district will pay on average $135 more on their monthly premiums in 2026.”
The North Coast Current and OsideNews are publishing news items related to the federal government shutdown throughout its duration. Organizations can send information to news[at]northcoastcurrent.com. The North Coast Current and OsideNews also welcome letters to the editor and longer commentaries sharing various points of view.