The federal government shutdown is fast approaching a key Nov. 1 deadline that may lead to health care cost hikes and food aid cutoffs impacting millions of New Yorkers.
With the federal political showdown heading toward its fourth week, Democrats and Republicans remained divided over how to address rising health care costs. The standoff continued after thousands took to the streets across the Lower Hudson Valley and upstate New York for “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump.
How much could ACA health care premiums spike in NY?
New York is set to open enrollment on Nov. 1 for another year of coverage through a host of plans on the state-run Affordable Care Act marketplace, known as NY State of Health. That’s the first glimpse many will get of the 38% average premium jump that state officials say enrollees will face when federal subsidies that were holding down the costs expire at the end of the year — unless Congress renews them.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks to reporters as he leaves a news conference on Capitol Hill on October 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The government remains shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding deal 20 days ago.
Gov. Hochul on Oct. 21 criticized Republicans for declining to extend the subsidies, noting New Yorkers relying on the marketplace will see an average annual increase of nearly $1,400 for individuals and $3,000 for couples if the subsidies expire.
“It’s shameful. By refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, they are turning their backs on their constituents and ripping away access to affordable, quality health care,” Hochul said in a statement.
Politics: Shutdown closing in on ACA health cost hikes for 220K in NY. Here’s how much premiums jump
Democrats’ push to keep the subsidies and avert a cost spike helped stoke the partisan deadlock in Congress that brought much of the government to a halt on Oct. 1.
Will SNAP food aid benefits be paid in NY in November?
At the same time, federal regulators recently told New York and other states to withhold payments starting on Nov. 1 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the federally funded safety-net program formerly known as food stamps.
The U.S. Capitol building at dusk on October 20, 2025.
State officials were notified there won’t be enough money for 42 million Americans’ SNAP benefits in November if the federal shutdown impasse continues.
Kathy Hochul: NY governor blasts feds’ move to halt SNAP food aid to NY due to government shutdown standoff
The USDA said its Food and Nutrition Service has begun gathering information for a potential contingency plan regarding SNAP benefit operations, should the shutdown continue.
In the meantime, state officials in New York and across the country are still grappling with what an extended shutdown would mean for SNAP recipients in their state.
Includes reporting by USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Shutdown deadline looms over ACA, SNAP in NY. See what’s at stake
