Supply Chain and Manufacturing Issues Due to Politicking on Healthcare
I worked in Supply Chain and then Manufacturing as a first lower-level position fresh out of college. Eventually, I did cost model plastic, rubber, and metal parts including the many upstream and down-stream processes to complete a particular part. It was fun because I could negotiate with the supply base on cost based upon volume, production, and demand. I managed a warehouse purchasing hundreds of $millions in components and scheduled the shipments to plants located globally. The warehouse turned ~ 20 times a year as we were efficient and because I knew the process, the planning, and the supply base.
So yeah, I agree with there being supply base and manufacturing issues as cited in the article. The issue today goes well beyond supply chain and manufacturing. The issue is whether we allow Pres. Tru_p to disenfranchise ~20 million lower income “citizens” from healthcare. Healthcare they more than likely than not suffer the consequences of not having healthcare. I am not even touching upon those citizens who can afford healthcare with the present income ceiling based on premium costs. The rules put in place under President Biden capped a household’s premium costs at 8.5% of their income.
For example, a person with an income of 401% FPL ($60,391 in 2024) would pay no more than 8.5% of their income for coverage. Aa monthly premium of $428, thanks to the subsidy eliminating the cliff.
So yes, there are millions of people who will lose Medicaid coverage and millions of people who are working who will also be priced out of the market due to allowing changes to the ACA to what it was before President Biden and Covid. That is reality.
Everything said in this article is true and has a basis for stating the issues faced by businesses. However, the issue is with Pres. Tru_p and his band of followers who acquiesce to his every whim.
Yes, the manufacturing of plastics and metal parts, assembly, etc. businesses and the nation will experience economic problems. That is if Republicans do not rein in Pres. Tru_p who believes in greater tax cuts for a minority of citizens in the extreme upper percentages of income. An addition fact, the US shutdown will have a global impact. Much of what we buy is made globally. One industry relevant comment as to what American businesses will experience due to politics as I discussed.
“Government Shutdown Impacts Manufacturing Sector,” Plastics Today
As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, America’s manufacturing backbone is starting to feel the pressure, with factories beginning to experience the effects of federal paralysis.
The US government ceased much of its operations on Oct. 1, 2025, after Republicans and Democrats were unable to reach an agreement to extend funding for the government past the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The shutdown will have a ripple effect throughout manufacturing, which will intensify the longer the stalemate continues, according to the Plastics Industry Association.
Real consequences
“The government shutdown is creating real consequences for manufacturers and the millions of Americans they employ,” said Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of PLASTICS. “Every day Washington stays stuck, essential work stops — from permits and regulatory reviews to infrastructure projects that keep our industry moving.”
Seaholm said those delays ripple through supply chains and threaten the products American businesses and consumers rely on.
“Plastics power critical sectors like healthcare, automotive, construction, and packaging. When government stops working, so does progress,” he concluded. “This isn’t about politics — it’s about jobs, investment, and the strength of US manufacturing. America’s manufacturers deliver every day. It’s time for Congress to do the same and restore stability to our economy.”
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons pointed out recently that a functioning government is essential for a strong manufacturing economy.
“Manufacturers need certainty, not disruption,” Timmons said. “Our leaders in Washington must come together and keep the government open, so it continues working for the American people. From supply chains and permitting to regulatory certainty, product approvals, and facility inspections, manufacturers rely on the government to do its job and provide the stability that drives growth.”
The shutdown continues amid a congressional deadlock over healthcare subsidies, which shows no signs of resolution, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, declaring that Republicans have no alternative strategy to break the current stalemate.
Speaking to CNN, Thune indicated that his party will maintain its approach of pushing Democrats to approve the House’s proposed funding legislation without modifications — effectively ruling out compromise negotiations in the immediate future.
MSN, citing a US Treasury Department official, reported that the ongoing government shutdown could cost the American economy up to $15 billion per week.
Supply chain issues
One area where manufacturing will soon feel the impact of the shutdown is in the supply chain. Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management, said the ripple effects will be felt far beyond Washington, DC, and could ultimately lead to disruption across America’s supply chains.
Eshkenazi said Americans have experienced delays in air travel, and surface transportation could see issues, including at the border and ports. Inspections and paperwork processing for shipments will be hindered, potentially leading to backlogs at key entry points.
“All of this comes on the heels of yet another round of tariff announcements, which are expected to worsen an already struggling manufacturing industry,” he wrote recently. “Ultimately, these compounded disruptions highlight a critical vulnerability within the sector, proving a profound need for a more strategic approach.”