Author: Simon F. Haeder

Simon F. Haeder an associate professor in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at The Ohio State University. His research focuses on access to health and health-protective services for both humans and pets with a focus on administrative burden, provider networks, vaccinations and school-based health services as well as the regulatory process. He is the recipient of the David Kline Jones Distinguished Scholar Award and has served as a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program.

How the Government Shutdown Is Hitting the Healthcare System—and What the Battle Over ACA Subsidies Means

Major rifts over key healthcare issues are at the heart of the federal government shutdown that began at the stroke of midnight on Oct. 1, 2025. Without a budget agreement in place, Trump ordered most federal agencies to wind down their nonessential activities. The shutdown will continue until Congress passes either a short-term or long-term funding bill and Trump signs it.

Government shutdowns are nothing new, but as a health policy expert, I worry this time around the impasse may have far-reaching effects on healthcare.