In the late hours of the night of September 30th, 2025 the U.S. Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution, plunging our nation’s government into shutdown. Thousands of Americans felt the consequences of these failed negotiations, instantaneously. Offices closed, TSA lines grew longer, and 750,000 Americans furloughed. It’s wholly unsustainable. But a specific group of Americans will feel these effects disproportionately: women, whose access to healthcare services could be significantly disrupted.

At the center of the funding impasse is a dispute over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding. The ACA provides healthcare to millions of millions of women risk and includes specific protections against sex discrimination in healthcare. Its funding is particularly vital for women, many of whom depend on its access to preventative care, reproductive health services, and coverage for preexisting conditions.

Additionally, Medicaid insures around 15 million women (Ages 19 to 64) making it a cornerstone of women’s healthcare. A prolonged shutdown threatens the stability of Medicaid’s operations, particularly where administrative functions rely on federal support.

The timing of this funding lapse is especially concerning: October marks breast cancer awareness month in America, a month dedicated to increasing awareness and encouraging early detention. Screenings such as Mammograms are a vital tool in preventative measures against breast cancer, and are covered by Medicare for women above 35 years of age. Delays in funding not only hinder access to these essential services but also pause community outreach programs that operate under federal grants.

While lawmakers continue to negotiate a path forward, the longer the shutdown persists, the greater the risk to healthcare access for millions of women. Regardless of political affiliation, the consequences are clear: when essential programs are halted, the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations are placed in jeopardy. To quote Leader Jefferies “we need to move forward with the fierce urgency of now, get something done…to ensure that the healthcare of the American people is protected.” Paired with these words from Senator John Thune “Everybody wants a solution, wants a way out,” the critical nature of these negotiations cannot be ignored. From cancer screenings to maternal health services, every day of inaction means women across the country face disruptions in care that cannot simply be put on hold—reminding us that safeguarding healthcare is not a partisan issue, but a human one.