Message from the AFT on the Federal Government Shutdown: What’s at Stake for Public Employees and the People They Serve

Healthcare

• The Republicans are attacking our healthcare in many ways: through the Big Ugly Bill and funding freezes and cuts.

• Without urgent congressional action, 4.2 million Americans will soon lose healthcare coverage and another 20 million will face major premium increases when Affordable Care Act tax credits run out at the end of the year.

• These cuts put 25 percent of hospitals in most states at risk of closing completely.

• Unions that bargain over health benefits will be forced to spend more on premiums and copays.

• Families will face skyrocketing premiums—forced to choose between healthcare and paying rent or mortgage—while receiving lower-quality care in understaffed facilities.

  
  

Schools and communities

• The Trump administration has taken a sledgehammer to trust in education and public health by repeatedly ignoring government funding laws.

• Republicans in Congress have yielded to the president rather than defend the laws they passed.

• Communities are still owed more than $410 billion in federal funds for teacher training, mental health supports for students, disaster relief, road and bridge repairs, and much more.

• These illegal actions mean lifesaving research is stalled and communities don’t get the resources they desperately need.

  
  

Federal workers and public services

• Who they are: Federal employees, members of the military and federal contractors are our neighbors and community members. They are teachers on Department of Defense bases, nurses and doctors in Veterans Affairs hospitals, scientists developing vaccines, postal workers delivering our mail and park rangers caring for our national treasures.

• What they do: Every day, they provide vital services that keep our nation safe, stable and healthy. They:

  • Process Social Security and Medicare benefits.

  • Ensure food safety, keep air travel secure and protect our food supply from disease.

  • Take care of veterans and retirees.

  • Ensure federal treaties with Native Americans are upheld.

  • Maintain our national parks and monitor our water and air.

• What’s at risk during a shutdown:Federal workers are forced to go without pay—even if they are still required to report to work. That means people who have dedicated their lives to serving our country are left in limbo, and all Americans face delays, disruptions and uncertainty in critical services.