Four House Republicans crossed party lines on Wednesday and joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for three more years.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is now required to bring the measure to the floor within the next seven legislative days. With the House expected to adjourn soon, the vote is unlikely to occur until January.
RELATED STORY | Gig workers, young adults could face sharp premium hikes if ACA subsidies expire
Even if the bill passes in the House, it’s fate in the Senate is unknown. Last week, the Senate failed to get the 60 votes needed to advance the measure.
Wednesday’s development underscores bipartisan concern about the looming expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies, which were first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED STORY | Rising health costs risk deadly outcomes for uninsured patients
The subsidies expire at the end of 2025, and experts warn that without an extension, premiums for people who buy insurance on the ACA marketplaces will dramatically increase.
In an attempt to address that concern, House Republicans passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which was championed by Speaker Mike Johnson.
It does not extend ACA subsidies, but it does aim to lower health insurance premiums by expanding employer-based coverage options.
