EPISODE · Oct 14, 2025 · 30 MIN
How California is Preparing for a Health Insurance Crisis
from Political Breakdown · host KQED
The government shutdown has entered its third week, as Senate Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen it until Republicans agree to undo deep cuts to federal health care spending and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. If these subsidies expire, health insurance costs could double and hundreds of thousands of Californians could be priced out of coverage, according to estimates by KFF, the nonpartisan health research organization. Scott and Marisa talk to Jessica Altman, the executive director of Covered California, which is the agency that oversees the state's implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
The government shutdown has entered its third week, as Senate Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen it until Republicans agree to undo deep cuts to federal health care spending and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. If these subsidies expire, health insurance costs could double and hundreds of thousands of Californians could be priced out of coverage, according to estimates by KFF, the nonpartisan health research organization. Scott and Marisa talk to Jessica Altman, the executive director of Covered California, which is the agency that oversees the state's implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
How California is Preparing for a Health Insurance Crisis
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 16, 2026 ·100m
Jun 9, 2026 ·83m
May 26, 2026 ·94m
May 19, 2026 ·50m
May 12, 2026 ·77m