Getting involved in volunteering around Metropolis and Massac County is a great way to connect with our neighbors and make a difference. Places like the COPE Food Pantry and local groups like the Metropolis Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, and Massac Memorial Hospital Auxiliary offer fun ways to pitch in and help create a closer, stronger community for everyone.

Thursday – November 6
– Metropolis Public Library – Director Colby Kennedy

Tuesday – November 11
– Massac County Sheriff Chad Kaylor 

Wednesday – November 12
– Massac County School Superintendent Jason Hayes

Thursday – November 13
– Massac Memorial Hospital New Beginnings Director Kim Abell

Tuesday – November 18 
– Shane Leonard, La Pizza di Shane

Wednesday – November 19
– Metropolis Animal Control and Abatement Officer John Roman

Wednesday
– November 26 – Metropolis Police Chief Harry Masse

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The Open Enrollment Period for 2026 plans is underway, coinciding with major legislative and regulatory changes.

Here is an ACA update as of November 18, 2025:

2026 Open Enrollment is Underway

The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for 2026 coverage on the ACA Marketplace began on November 1, 2025.

• Key Deadline: Individuals must enroll or change plans by December 15, 2025, for coverage to start on January 1, 2026. The Open Enrollment period runs until January 15, 2026, in most states.

• Average Premiums: The average Marketplace premium after tax credits for the lowest-cost plan is projected to be $50 per month for eligible enrollees in 2026, representing a $13 increase from 2025.  Projections do vary, but the statement that the average premium after tax credits for the lowest-cost plan is projected to be around $50 per month for eligible enrollees in 2026 is consistent with initial reporting on rate filings, though the exact final figure may fluctuate

Uncertainty Over Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (Subsidies)

The biggest concern for enrollees is the scheduled expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025.

• The Problem: The enhanced tax credits, originally from the American Rescue Plan and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act, are set to expire on December 31, 2025.

• Congressional Status: The recent continuing resolution that ended the government shutdown on November 12, 2025, did not include an extension of these enhanced ACA subsidies.

• Potential Impact: If Congress does not act before the end of the year, millions of Americans could see their premiums more than double on average in 2026.

  • Subsidized enrollees would face an estimated 114% increase in average annual out-of-pocket premium payments.

  • Those with incomes above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level will lose financial assistance entirely.

• Current Discussion: Members of Congress are publicly discussing a “fix,” with proposals centered around extending the subsidies while also addressing potential fraud and the rising cost of healthcare.

Major Policy Changes from Recent Legislation

New federal legislation and regulations are changing the rules for the 2026 plan year, regardless of the subsidy decision:

• End of Year-Round Enrollment: The “Marketplace Integrity and Affordability” regulation eliminates the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for low-income consumers. This means everyone, regardless of income, must enroll during the standard Open Enrollment Period (November 1 – January 15) unless they have a qualifying life event.

• Tax Credit Repayment Limits Eliminated: Starting with the 2026 tax year, the limits on repaying excess premium tax credits are eliminated for all enrollees. If a person’s income ends up being higher than estimated, they must repay the full amount of any excess subsidy received.

• Immigrant Eligibility Restricted: Eligibility for premium tax credits has been eliminated or significantly restricted for several groups of lawfully present immigrants.

Citations

1. Ohio Sen. Husted says he’s for ‘some kind’ of ACA subsidy extension. The Statehouse News Bureau, November 18, 2025.

2. ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire. KFF, September 30, 2025.

3. Plan Year 2026 Marketplace Plans and Prices Fact Sheet. CMS, October 30, 2025.

4. Government shutdown ends without extension of ACA tax credits. California Medical Association, November 13, 2025.

5. What to expect in Washington (November 17). EY Tax News, November 17, 2025.

November SNAP Benefit Payments

The federal government shutdown ended on November 12, 2025, which allowed the remaining November SNAP benefits to be processed.

• Payment Timeline: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has stated that all SNAP recipients are expected to receive their full November benefits by Wednesday, November 20, 2025.

• Previous Payments: Many recipients had previously received only partial November payments, and the state is now distributing the remaining amounts.

 December Payment Schedule

With the federal government funding restored, SNAP benefits for December are expected to return to the regular distribution schedule in Illinois, which is typically between the 1st and the 20th of the month.

Need to Check Your Status or Balance?

• Check EBT Card Balance: Visit the IDHS: Illinois Link Card website or call the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-LINK (5465).

• Official Updates: For the latest information from the state, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) website.

The U.S. Federal Government is currently open and operating after a 43-day partial shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Congress passed a measure that partially funds the government for the remainder of the fiscal year while punting the deadline for the rest of the agencies to the new year.

Here is the status of the U.S. Government as of November 18, 2025:

Government Funding Status

The government reopened after President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 on November 12, 2025.

• Funded for Full Fiscal Year (FY 2026):

  • Agriculture and FDA: Full-year appropriations are enacted, including funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC and SNAP reimbursement.

  • Military Construction and Veterans Affairs: Full-year funding is secured.

  • Legislative Branch: Full-year funding is secured.

• Funded by Continuing Resolution (CR) until January 30, 2026:

  • The remaining nine appropriations bills are funded at current (generally FY 2025) levels via a Continuing Resolution.

  • This CR covers major departments and agencies like Defense, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation.

Impact on Federal Workforce and Services

Most government services are now resuming operations, though some administrative agencies may take a few days or weeks to fully restore all systems and address backlogs.

• Furloughed Employees: All furloughed federal employees are being called back to work.

• Back Pay: The bill guarantees that federal employees who were furloughed or worked without pay during the shutdown will receive retroactive back pay.

• Agency Resumption: Agencies like the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) have announced revised deadlines and systems are coming back online. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is working to update its schedule of economic data releases, which were delayed during the lapse.

Major Unresolved Policy Issues

The Continuing Resolution avoided a long-term budget deal, leaving several high-stakes policy cliffs unresolved:

• Next Funding Deadline: The majority of the government’s funding will expire on January 30, 2026. Congress must pass the remaining nine full-year appropriations bills or another CR before this date to avoid another shutdown.

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies: The extension of the enhanced Premium Tax Credits (subsidies) for the ACA Marketplace was not included in the CR. These enhanced subsidies are currently set to expire on December 31, 2025, which would dramatically increase premiums for millions of subsidized enrollees starting in 2026.

• Other Expiring Provisions: The CR did not include extensions for numerous other expiring authorities, including certain public health programs and some provisions of the Farm Bill.

Citations

1. Government Shutdown FAQ | U.S. Representative Ami Bera.

2. November 2025 Federal Funding and Government Shutdown Update – ASTHO.

3. House Republicans Restore Order: Congress Passes Clean Funding Extension and Full-Year Appropriations Bills to Reopen Government.

4. CR Signed, Sealed and Delivered: Government Reopens | Brownstein.

5. What the end of the government shutdown means for you.