The government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, 2025, may seem like just another round of political gridlock in Washington. But for college students across the country, this shutdown could have real consequences when it comes to healthcare.
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010, young adults have been permitted to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until they reach the age of 26. This policy has been vital for college students, who often don’t have access to full-time jobs with benefits or are unable to afford private coverage.
But now, as the shutdown has been in effect for over a week, that peace of mind is starting waiver.
While the ACA’s coverage rule hasn’t been directly affected yet, shutdowns put a strain on the federal agencies that are responsible for overseeing health insurance protections, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services. According to CNN, agency operations are being scaled back, and customer service functions could be delayed as employee suspensions affect thousands of federal workers. This can result with longer wait times to resolve coverage issues, slower claims processing, etc. These are problems that can quickly snowball into serious roadblocks for students who are relying on coverage.
The larger concern is what happens if political leaders start using health care protections as bargaining chips. The 2025 shutdown was triggered by disagreements over spending levels and policy riders, and some lawmakers have already floated proposals to dilute or defund parts of the ACA as part of negotiations. That puts the 26-and-under coverage rule at risk.
Students are also being impacted on other fronts. The Department of Education has said that ongoing funding issues may delay FAFSA processing and Pell Grant disbursements, which many students depend on for tuition and/or living expenses. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, having both financial aid and health coverage thrown into uncertainty is a heavy stressor.
The economic impact of the shutdown could be as much as $15 billion in lost GDP per week. But beyond the numbers, there’s a large concern felt by students worried about whether they’ll be able to afford a doctor’s visit or get their prescriptions filled.
Health insurance shouldn’t be something college students have to worry about. But in a shutdown, even long-standing protections can become unstable. Students deserve better than to be collateral damage in a political standoff. Congress must not only reopen the government, but also commit to protecting the policies that keep young people healthy, insured, and able to focus on their education.
