I've known Clay & Shelly since 2019; they're an active younger couple with two kids. Both are realtors - in fact they're a married "team" - who have to shell out the full cost of health insurance as small business owners. Clay took to social media to spell out what the federal government shutdown and Democrats' posturing to save ACA credits (and claw back Medicare/Medicaid cuts) is about: the cost increase to cover their family is akin to that of a "decent used car" in 2026.

Patricia Murphy at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, however, opines that Democrats are the "biggest losers" in this shutdown stalemate, but is this not the kind of "kitchen table issue" Democrats are supposed to be standing firm for?

Meanwhile, Sheryl Arno, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, opined in the AJC as well that the looming Medicaid cuts are going to impact families who have loved ones with special needs - and not just poor families. Those in the "messy middle" who earn just enough not to qualify for Medicaid may find themselves taking their adult neuro-atypical children back in and be full-time caregivers if the GOP-led cuts to vital waiver programs take effect in 2026.