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Senator Mark Kelly Highlights Urgency of Addressing Health Care Costs and Risks of Government Shutdown on MSNBC

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Published on September 25, 2025
Senator Mark Kelly Highlights Urgency of Addressing Health Care Costs and Risks of Government Shutdown on MSNBCSource: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a recent appearance on MSNBC's "All In with Chris Hayes," Senator Mark Kelly emphasized the urgency of tackling the rising costs of health care and averting a potential government shutdown. The Arizona senator pointed out the direct impact that policy decisions surrounding health care could have on American families, especially those reliant on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The looming expiration of ACA tax credits signals a steep increase in premiums and the possible closure of rural hospitals, Senator Kelly warned in the interview obtained by "All In with Chris Hayes."

During the interview, Kelly expressed his concerns, "This fight right now, this month about this shutdown, is over how much the American people are going to pay for their health care. That’s all this is about." He further highlighted the potential repercussions of inaction, suggesting that "Folks are going to get kicked off of Medicaid," with serious implications post-2026 such as the closure of rural hospitals. Kelly's determination to keep health care costs down and maintain essential services was evident as he discussed ongoing efforts to counter the administration's stance.

The conversation with Hayes also broached the topic of President Trump's interaction with the Democratic opposition on these issues. Kelly expressed frustration with the president's approach, critically noting, "The President of the United States is not only saying no, now he’s saying he doesn’t even want to discuss it." This critique was underscored by a striking comparison to Trump's self-promotion in his book, "The Art of the Deal," with Kelly further punctuating the point by saying, "Master negotiator doesn’t even want to have the meeting."

With health care costs set to escalate sharply, Senator Kelly's dialogue with "All In with Chris Hayes" underscores the stark disconnect between legislative efforts to provide relief and a White House that appears unwilling to even entertain discussions. Such intransigence, according to the senator's exchange, could quickly translate into more than just political deadlock—it may very well precipitate a crisis that hits the wallets and well-being of ordinary Americans. The Democratic Party, represented by Kelly, seems poised to continue to try to bridge differences in hopes of averting a significant uptick in health care expenses and ensuring the sustainability of critical health infrastructures in rural areas.