Looming Government Shut Down and the Future of Obamacare

It seems Republicans and Democrats are at a standstill over the future of Obamacare, and a government shut down is likely this Monday at midnight unless one side capitulates.

Early today, House Republicans refused to pass a spending budget, which would raise the debt ceiling, unless Obamacare was defunded for at least a year. The vote also included a repeal of a tax on medical devices. Without any signs of compromise from Democrats, Republicans must decide whether they will allow a clean spending bill to pass without any measures impeding the implementation of Obamacare or watch government agencies and programs close for the first time in 17 years.

Regardless of a government shutdown; however, the new health insurance exchanges are still scheduled to open for business Tuesday because many aspects of the Affordable Care Act aren’t funded through Congressional appropriations. Plus, even in the unlikely event that a spending bill defunding Obamacare passes the Democratic majority senate, President Obama has threatened to veto it.