Virtual Hill Briefing 

# Beyond the Shutdown: Real Affordability vs. Endless COVID Subsidies 

##### Watch the Event 

Download:

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Video 

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Date and Time 

October 21, 2025 12 - 1 PM EDT 

Location 

Live Online via Zoom 

##### Featuring 

[![Michael F. Cannon](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/Michael%20Cannon.jpg?itok=0UROn8Dc)](/people/michael-f-cannon) 

[Michael F. Cannon](/people/michael-f-cannon)

Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/mfcannon) [ 

](mailto:mcannon@cato.org) 

![b-Blase-cropped.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-08/b-Blase-cropped.jpg?itok=o_iIGmGJ) 

Brian Blase 

President, Paragon Health Institute

[ 

](https://twitter.com/brian_blase) 

One key issue facing Congress is whether or not to extend COVID-19–era premium subsidies under Obamacare for households making up to $600,000.

This virtual event will examine the impact of those “enhanced” subsidies, the wisdom or imprudence of reauthorizing them, and alternative reforms that would make health insurance more affordable and could contribute to a deal that ends the budgetary impasse. Join the Cato Institute on Tuesday, October 21, at noon EDT for this online discussion with other congressional staffers.

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