UPDATE: House Republicans are racing against time to finalize a health care plan before the December 31 deadline, risking skyrocketing insurance premiums for millions of Americans. With just days left before the holiday recess, party leaders are struggling to reach a consensus on the crucial provisions of the proposal.
Insurance costs are poised to surge if Congress fails to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which are set to expire at the end of the year. In a move that has divided the party, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing forward with a plan that does not include an extension of these vital subsidies but instead suggests alternative funding to help alleviate health care costs for Americans.
As pressure mounts from both sides, especially with the 2024 midterms on the horizon, some Republicans are advocating for a bipartisan approach that would include ACA subsidy extensions. “We need to come up with something,” stated Rep. Ralph Norman from South Carolina following a closed-door GOP meeting. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan from Ohio warned that excluding ACA funding could lead moderates to team up with Democrats, resulting in a less favorable outcome for the GOP.
Johnson aims to hold a floor vote on the proposed GOP plan next week, just before lawmakers head out for a two-week recess. Inside the contentious GOP meeting, various ideas were floated, including expanding health savings accounts and funding cost-sharing reductions. “We have some low-hanging fruit,” Johnson told reporters, emphasizing that the party should focus on items that have unanimous Republican support.
However, many Republicans acknowledge that a comprehensive overhaul of the ACA, which has been a challenge for the GOP for over a decade, requires more time and deliberation. “Health care is unbelievably complicated,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, underlining the complexity of the issue.
In a recent bipartisan effort, fifteen House Republicans, primarily from swing districts, signed onto a framework led by Reps. Jen Kiggans and Josh Gottheimer, which aims to extend ACA subsidies for two years with certain limitations. Yet, these lawmakers represent a minority within the party, where the prevailing sentiment is against supporting “Obamacare” funding.
Despite the internal conflict, Johnson is aligning with the majority view against extending ACA tax credits. Some party members fear that failure to act could cost Republicans seats in the upcoming elections, with Rep. Jeff Van Drew emphasizing the need for reforms alongside subsidy extensions to protect vulnerable GOP colleagues.
As discussions unfold, a potential discharge petition is emerging as a tactic for those advocating for ACA funding. This procedural move would require the support of a majority of the House, indicating that a coalition of both Republicans and Democrats may be necessary to force a vote on health care measures.
Among the proposals, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has introduced a plan to extend ACA subsidies for two years while also broadening access to health savings accounts. He has indicated a willingness to push for a discharge petition if leadership does not take decisive action soon.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated: failure to extend the ACA funding will likely lead to shocking increases in health care premiums for many Americans in the New Year. As Rep. Ted Lieu noted, the procedural hurdles mean that any effective action might not materialize until after the deadline has passed.
With the clock ticking, the GOP must navigate these turbulent waters carefully, as the implications of their decisions could resonate far beyond the upcoming holidays, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the pivotal 2024 elections.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story as House Republicans work to finalize their health care strategy.
