UPDATE: House Republicans are racing against the clock to finalize a health care plan ahead of a critical vote next week, just before the holiday recess. With insurance premiums poised to skyrocket for millions of Americans on January 1, 2024, due to the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, lawmakers are under immense pressure to reach a consensus.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is pushing a proposal that avoids extending these subsidies, instead offering limited funds to help Americans manage health care costs. This decision is meeting resistance from moderate Republicans facing tough re-election battles in the upcoming midterms, who argue that any plan must include an extension of the ACA subsidies to protect vulnerable constituents.
“We need to come up with something,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., after a closed-door GOP meeting. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, warned that failing to include ACA funding could lead to a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats forcing a vote on a more favorable plan through a discharge petition.
Johnson is set to hold a floor vote next week, just before lawmakers head out for a two-week break. Key proposals discussed include expanding health savings accounts and funding cost-sharing reductions. Johnson emphasized, “We have some low-hanging fruit,” but acknowledged that a comprehensive overhaul of Obamacare is a much larger challenge.
Fifteen House Republicans from swing districts have signed on to a bipartisan framework led by Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., which aims to extend ACA subsidies for two years with modifications. However, this group is outnumbered by GOP members who oppose any extension of “Obamacare” funding.
Johnson’s leadership is leaning toward a plan that aligns with party majority views, which could potentially alienate moderates. “The speaker is drawing a line in the sand,” noted one GOP lawmaker, indicating a lack of willingness to compromise on ACA tax credits.
As the December 31 deadline looms, it remains uncertain whether moderates will succeed in using a discharge petition to bypass Johnson and force a vote. This procedural move requires a majority of the House, meaning both moderate Republicans and Democrats would need to collaborate.
In addition to Kiggans and Gottheimer’s framework, centrist Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., is advocating for his own plan to extend ACA subsidies, which has garnered Democratic support. Fitzpatrick warned he may initiate a discharge petition if the leadership fails to act.
The stakes are high, with GOP lawmakers like Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., emphasizing the need for ACA subsidy extensions to safeguard the party’s fragile majority. “Allowing these subsidies to lapse is not an option,” he declared, stressing the potential political fallout.
Even if a bill passes in the House, the Senate’s approval remains uncertain, and time is running out. Democratic leaders are calling for immediate action as the clock ticks down to a potential crisis for millions relying on affordable health care.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how House Republicans navigate this complex issue in the coming days. The urgency to protect health care access for American families is paramount, and any missteps could have significant implications for the GOP in the upcoming elections.
