On January 8, the House approved legislation to revive expired Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, defying Republican leadership as 17 Republicans joined Democrats to force the measure to a vote and pass it 230–196. The action reflects rising concern over health insurance affordability and followed the successful use of a discharge petition, a procedural maneuver that allows 218 or more rank-and-file members to sidestep the House Speaker and force a vote. The bill now heads to the Senate, where bipartisan negotiations are underway but no vote is guaranteed.
To learn more about why this vote was important to print service providers, read this Alliance article which highlights the growing impact of rising health insurance costs on small business owners, who account for nearly half of ACA marketplace enrollees.
The legislation would extend enhanced ACA tax credits for three years. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the plan would add roughly $80.6 billion to the deficit over a decade while expanding coverage to an estimated 100,000 people this year, rising to 4 million by 2028 before tapering off.
Democrats framed the vote as a necessary response to rising premiums following the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies late last year. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) said the affordability crisis demanded immediate action after talks collapsed during the government shutdown. Republican leaders opposed the bill, arguing that COVID-era health funding has been plagued by fraud and that lawmakers should focus on lowering costs for all Americans, not just those enrolled in ACA marketplace plans.
Despite the House vote, the Senate has already declined to advance a similar bill. Instead, a bipartisan group of senators is drafting an alternative proposal that could include income limits, modest premium contributions, expanded health savings accounts, and stronger anti-fraud measures. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said negotiators agree that millions risk losing coverage due to rising costs and that compromise is urgent.
President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to reshape the debate by expanding health savings accounts and giving individuals greater control over their coverage, an approach Democrats argue falls short of addressing high health care costs.
Democrats now view the vote as validation of their shutdown strategy and plan to make health care affordability a central issue in the upcoming elections, as Republicans continue to wrestle with a policy area that has long divided their party.
Negotiations now move to the Senate, where a compromise bill may be introduced the week of January 12. The Alliance will monitor and report on any developments in the Senate.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on the House approval of a three-year extension of the ACA premium tax credits. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.