As another potential government shutdown approaches, just a mere two months after ending the longest one in American history, healthcare is once again the buzz on Capitol Hill. The breakdown of division is simple.

Democrats want to extend Obamacare subsidies, which have now expired, and continue a healthcare system that greatly benefits insurance companies while hurting consumers. Republicans want to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies with heath savings accounts (HSAs) to give more choice to people, and bypass insurance companies.

There has been a divide on the issue for months, and Democrats theatrics about it are what caused the last shutdown. But the GOP's idea of replacing the subsidies with HSA's is gaining traction and could be ready for takeoff this year. In the long run, it could be both beneficial and provide more freedom.

Joel White, President of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, was one of those who helped create HSAs in the early 2000s. He says about 67 million people use HSA's currently and have seen huge upside.

"They are getting cheaper healthcare, and they are more empowered to go choose a doctor or drug that maybe their insurance plan does not cover," he says.

The trend of HSA's is growing, too. As of the latest numbers from mid-2025, the 40-million total HSAs had a surge of 16-percent in savings from a year prior. That on a total of $159 billion in deposits.

The healthcare affordability crisis has become dire for many. Wages have not kept up with inflation and rising costs, and people have been stuck at the mercy of insurance companies for far too long. This new GOP plan would bring back choice in healthcare, which Americans deserve.

"It allows you to shop...it gives you power and control over your healthcare dollars," White says. "That is important because health costs are still rising, they are out of control, and it is creating a real burden for families and businesses."

The idea is real, and with enough momentum combined with Congress doing its job, this could come to fruition.

"They could even expand it to say anyone in the marketplace could get this funding for an HSA," says White.

Congress faces a funding deadline of January 30th.

Jimmy Barrett