The subsidies are a key sticking point in the government shutdown: Democrats in Congress say that in order to secure their votes to reopen the government, they must be extended.
In late September, Laurel Vincenty got a letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield informing her that the subsidies that covered a big chunk of her health insurance would be expiring at the end of the year, sending her monthly premiums soaring.
Vincenty, 64... [5033 chars]