URGENT UPDATE: House Republicans are racing against the clock to finalize a health care plan before a crucial vote next week, as millions of Americans face skyrocketing insurance premiums come January 1, 2024. With the expiration of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) looming on December 31, party leaders are under immense pressure to deliver a viable solution.
In a closed-door meeting, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed plans to push forward a proposal that does not extend ACA subsidies but offers alternative funding to help cover health care costs. However, this approach has sparked contention within the party, as many Republicans, particularly those in competitive districts, insist on a bipartisan extension of the subsidies to shield themselves from potential Democratic backlash ahead of the midterm elections.
“We need to come up with something,” stated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Fellow Republican Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) echoed these sentiments, warning that failure to include ACA funding in their plan could lead moderate Republicans to collaborate with Democrats, forcing a vote that could undermine GOP objectives.
With the holiday recess just around the corner, Johnson plans to hold a vote next week, aiming to solidify support before lawmakers depart for a two-week break. Among the proposals discussed were the expansion of health savings accounts and adjustments to cost-sharing reductions, but a comprehensive overhaul of the ACA remains elusive. “Health care is unbelievably complicated,” acknowledged Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), highlighting the challenges ahead.
Fifteen House Republicans have already signed onto a bipartisan framework led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) to extend ACA subsidies for two years, albeit with certain modifications. However, this faction is outnumbered, as many Republicans are resistant to supporting what they perceive as “Obamacare.”
Johnson’s leadership appears to align with the majority of the conference, which opposes extending ACA funding. One GOP lawmaker described Johnson as “drawing a line in the sand” against the continuation of ACA tax credits. The political stakes are high, with some Republicans warning that allowing subsidies to expire could jeopardize their slim majority in the House.
“We’re not looking to be self-destructive,” cautioned Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), insisting that extending the ACA subsidies, even with reforms, is crucial for vulnerable GOP members. He noted that a failure to act could result in significant electoral losses for the party.
The path ahead remains uncertain. Even if a health care bill passes the House, it would still require Senate approval, which is far from guaranteed. Democrats have criticized Republican inaction, with Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) pointing out that the clock is ticking on extending the ACA tax credits. “If they want to prevent that, we simply need to extend the ACA tax credits,” he stated.
As the deadline looms, the Republican caucus must navigate a treacherous political landscape filled with conflicting priorities and urgent public needs. The outcome of this health care vote could have significant ramifications for millions of Americans and the future of GOP leadership heading into the midterms.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
