Government Shutdown Forces 30,000 Oregon Federal Workers to Stay at Home Without Pay

Thirty thousand Oregonians employed by the federal government have been told to stay at home without pay following yesterday’s government shut down.

The decision to shut down the government rather than maintain affordable health coverage for millions of Americans has been greeted with disappointment by Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner.

Oregon State Treasurer Urges Federal Administration to Reverse Medicaid Funding Cuts

In a press statement, Steiner urges the administration and congressional Republican leaders to reverse funding cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

She says over 100,00 Oregonians face staggering premium increases on January 1, 2026, because of the federal government’s failure to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits.

Steiner believes the Medicaid cuts are likely to prevent more than 200,000 Oregonians from affording healthcare coverage, adding a further $1 billion to the state’s annual expenses.

Citing examples, the State Treasurer says a married couple, aged 60 and 64, who live in Hermiston, Eastern Oregon, and who have a combined annual income of $95,000, will face a silver plan premium increase of $25,000. Their existing annual premium of $8,000 will escalate to a staggering $33,500.

Steiner assures that the Oregon State Treasury is keeping a close eye on the situation and is working with the Governor’s office, as well as the state’s chief financial officer.