Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) is warning that the consequences of the ongoing government shutdown could be devastating for families already struggling to make ends meet—particularly when it comes to health care. In an interview from Washington this week, Salinas said that unless Republicans come back to the negotiating table, premiums for older Americans could jump by as much as $1,500 per month.

It was a striking figure, and Salinas leaned into it to underline the stakes. “We are going to see health care costs increase by about $1,500 per month in additional premium costs if Republicans refuse to come to the table,” she said. “That is going to make health care unaffordable for somebody who is over the age of 60. That is unaffordable.”

Salinas said her team has been focused on what the shutdown means for people in her district and across the country, from federal workers missing paychecks to vulnerable groups who depend on affordable coverage. She estimatres that 16,000 Oregonians who would be directly impacted by the Republican-backed cuts, describing them as “draconian.”

The shutdown, now in its early days, has slowed operations at agencies like the Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, and health care facilities. While some services continue, the longer the standoff drags on, the more likely it becomes that essential programs will face serious disruptions. “If this goes on much longer, things will slow even further and there could definitely be areas where work will stop,” Salinas said.

What concerns her most, though, are the long-term costs if Congress allows the cuts to stand. She points to people living with chronic conditions—diabetes, cancer, severe autism—as examples of who would feel the sharpest pain. “What else are they supposed to do?” she asked. “These are people who otherwise would not be able to afford health care someplace else.”

Her message comes as polls suggest the public is frustrated with both parties. A New York Times/Siena College poll found 33 percent of Americans blame Democrats and Republicans equally for the shutdown. But Salinas said her focus isn’t on blame. “I can’t worry about where the blame goes. What I need to worry about is making sure people have what they need. And what people need right now is lower costs and affordable health care.”

The Oregon Democrat accused Republicans of forcing the standoff with what she called their “dirty big ugly bill,” which she said slashes health care funding in order to score political points. She argues Democrats already have a solution: stop the cuts, restore funding, and keep health care costs in check.

For many lawmakers, the shutdown fight is about messaging and leverage. For Salinas, it’s about whether families—especially older Americans—will be able to pay for life-saving care. As she put it: “Leadership is about helping people find solutions. And we have a solution. Republicans just need to come to the table.”