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What the Shutdown Means for You—and How We Can Fight Back

What the Government Shutdown Really Means—And Why It Matters to You

A government shutdown might sound like political theater, but its consequences are anything but abstract. When the government shuts down, essential services stall or stop altogether. Federal workers go unpaid. Vital programs are disrupted. And millions of Americans, are suffering. 


How Did We Get Here?

At the heart of the current standoff is a demand by Republican lawmakers to make deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid; programs that provide critical healthcare for seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities.


Why the cuts? To pave the way for expanded private insurance profits and to offer yet another round of tax breaks for the wealthiest 1%.


To justify this, some Republican leaders are claiming they’re trying to stop undocumented immigrants from accessing these benefits; a claim that’s misleading at best. Under current law, undocumented immigrants are already barred from receiving Medicare and Medicaid. This talking point is a distraction from what’s really at stake.


What’s at Stake?

Democrats are pushing back, fighting to protect affordable healthcare and keep coverage within reach for everyday Americans. If these proposed cuts go through, millions could lose their insurance—and many more could be priced out of the market altogether.

The fallout is more than financial. Without coverage, people delay or skip necessary care. That means worse health outcomes, more preventable deaths, and a greater burden on emergency services and hospitals.

For everyday people, the cost increases are staggering. Health insurance premiums are projected to rise by 114%; which would turn a $142 monthly payment into over $303. Combine that with already rising costs for food, rent, vet bills, and basic living expenses, and it's no surprise families are worried about how they’ll get by.

In Florida alone, nearly 1.94 million people stand to lose their coverage, according to Senate.gov. Nationwide, the number of uninsured Americans could reach 15 million by 2034 if these cuts move forward.


This Is Bigger Than Politics

This isn’t just a partisan issue—it’s a people issue. It’s not Democrat vs. Republican. It’s the average American vs. a system that increasingly caters to the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else.

We have to ask ourselves: Are we willing to trade the health and financial security of millions just to protect billion-dollar tax breaks? Or are we ready to fight for a system that works for working people?


What we can do next 

  1. Send a “Thank You” and “Rooting for You” cards to representatives who are standing strong against these harmful healthcare cuts. Lawmakers like Maxwell Frost, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jasmine Crockett need to hear from us—remind them not to back down and let them know we’ve got their backs.

  2. Central Florida Indivisible is also partnering with the Federal Workers Union of Florida to support federal employees affected by the shutdown. Many are going without pay and struggling with basic needs. As soon as we receive their list of urgent needs, we’ll update this document and begin organizing a support drive for food, supplies, and financial assistance.

  3. Call your Republican House members and Senators and urge them to:

    1. Reject healthcare cuts

    2. Say no to blank checks for the wealthy

    3. Stand with working people—not corporate interests

Use the “5 Calls” tool below to make your voice heard—it only takes a few minutes.



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