House Republican leaders have decided to move forward with a healthcare bill that does not address the impending expiration of pandemic-era tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, which will result in significantly higher insurance costs for millions of Americans in 2026. The bill, which is expected to be voted on this week, focuses on expanding insurance coverage options for small businesses and the self-employed, but does not include measures to extend the subsidies that have helped keep premiums low for many Americans.
The decision has been met with criticism from some Republicans, including Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a competitive district and has been pushing for a temporary extension of the subsidies. Lawler called the decision “political malpractice” and argued that it would hurt many Americans who rely on the ACA for health coverage. Democrats have also criticized the bill, saying it does not address the root causes of rising healthcare costs and will ultimately lead to more people being priced out of coverage.
The House Republican bill includes provisions to expand access to association health plans, which would allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to purchase health coverage. It also includes measures to reduce prescription drug costs by increasing transparency among pharmacy benefit managers. However, an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would actually decrease the number of people with health insurance by an average of 100,000 per year over the next decade.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators is still working on a compromise to extend the ACA subsidies, but it is unlikely that any legislation will be passed before the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said that there is a “potential pathway” to an agreement in January, but acknowledged that significant issues, including disagreements over abortion funding, still need to be resolved.
The expiration of the pandemic-era tax credits is expected to have a significant impact on many Americans, particularly those who live in states that President Donald Trump won in the 2020 election. Rep. Lawler noted that most people who get their health coverage through the ACA live in these states, and that the changes proposed for a temporary extension were “conservative reforms.” However, the decision by House Republican leaders to move forward with their own bill without addressing the subsidies has been seen as a missed opportunity to find a bipartisan solution to the problem.
Overall, the debate over the healthcare bill highlights the deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats on healthcare policy, and the challenges of finding a solution to the complex and contentious issue of rising healthcare costs. With the expiration of the pandemic-era tax credits looming, many Americans are bracing for significant increases in their insurance premiums, and lawmakers are under pressure to find a solution before it’s too late.