Millions of Americans brace for healthcare insurance costs to spike

The Affordable Care Act marketplace's open enrollment period begins Saturday amid the expiration of subsidies that previously helped approximately 24 million Americans afford health insurance. Without these tax credits, average monthly insurance costs are projected to increase by 114 percent, potentially forcing seven million people to drop marketplace coverage and leaving four to five million without any health insurance at all. Democrats have demanded subsidy extensions as part of negotiations to end the ongoing government shutdown, while most Republicans argue the healthcare issue should be addressed separately after reopening the government.