Black Americans Cannot Afford the Trump Administration’s Health Care Cost Spike

October 30, 2025

The federal government shutdown has entered its second month, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers without paychecks while a looming healthcare crisis threatens millions more Americans. The author argues that President Trump and Congress are allowing crucial Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, which will cause premiums to skyrocket and result in over four million people losing health coverage entirely. Black Americans face disproportionate harm, as they could see uninsurance rates jump by 30 percent, reversing years of progress made since the ACA's implementation.

Who is affected

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers (nearly 20% Black, 30% veterans) missing paychecks
22 million people facing doubled out-of-pocket premiums
4.2 million people who will lose coverage entirely
179 million people with employer-based insurance facing cost increases
1.1 million Black Americans estimated to lose coverage
Working- and middle-class families with ACA coverage
Hospitals and clinics that will absorb unpaid care costs

What action is being taken

The federal government shutdown is ongoing (entering its second month as of the article's publication date).

Why it matters

This situation represents a dual crisis that threatens both immediate financial stability for federal workers and long-term healthcare access for millions of Americans. The expiration of ACA tax credits would reverse historic gains in healthcare coverage, particularly for Black communities whose uninsurance rates had been cut in half since the ACA's implementation. Rising healthcare costs will force families to make impossible choices between medical care and basic necessities like food, rent, and utilities, with ripple effects that will increase premiums for all Americans regardless of their insurance source.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint