Listen: Amid Shutdown Stalemate, Families Brace for SNAP Cuts and Paycheck Limbo

By Julie Rovner October 24, 2025

(Anna Rose Layden/Bloomberg Creative)

Listen: Health care has been at the heart of the federal government’s shutdown. KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner appeared on WAMU’s Oct. 22 “Health Hub” to explain the health care compromises some lawmakers want before they will agree to reopen the government.

This story also ran on WAMU. It can be republished for free.

Affordable Care Act tax credits are at the heart of one of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history. The impact is starting to be felt by families and federal employees. Food assistance programs could run out of money at the end of the month. And federal health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have faced layoffs.

KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner appeared on WAMU’s Oct. 22 “Health Hub” to discuss the possible compromises that could reopen the government.

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Julie Rovner: jrovner@kff.org, @jrovner

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Listen: Amid Shutdown Stalemate, Families Brace for SNAP Cuts and Paycheck Limbo

By Julie Rovner October 24, 2025

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<h1>Listen: Amid Shutdown Stalemate, Families Brace for SNAP Cuts and Paycheck Limbo</h1>
	<span class="byline">Julie Rovner, KFF Health News</span>

<p>Listen: Health care has been at the heart of the federal government’s shutdown. KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner appeared on WAMU’s Oct. 22 “Health Hub” to explain the health care compromises some lawmakers want before they will agree to reopen the government.</p>

<p>Affordable Care Act tax credits are at the heart of <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-history-congress/">one of the longest</a> government shutdowns in U.S. history. The impact is starting to be felt by families and federal employees. <a href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap">Food assistance</a> programs could <a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/2025-federal-government-shutdown">run out of money</a> at the end of the month. And federal health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have faced layoffs.</p>

<p>KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner appeared on <a href="https://wamu.org/story/25/10/22/dc-healthcare-federal-shutdown-week-four/">WAMU’s Oct. 22 “Health Hub</a>” to discuss the possible compromises that could reopen the government.</p>

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