URGENT UPDATE: House Republicans are in a frantic race to finalize a health care plan ahead of a crucial vote next week, with insurance premiums poised to soar for millions of Americans if they fail to act. The deadline to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is rapidly approaching, set to expire on December 31, 2023, leaving lawmakers scrambling to find common ground.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing immense pressure from both conservatives and moderates within his party. While conservatives push for a plan that doesn’t extend ACA subsidies, moderate Republicans warn that failing to do so could lead to disastrous electoral consequences in the upcoming midterms. “The consensus is we need to come up with something,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., after a closed-door GOP meeting.
As the situation intensifies, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has urged the leadership to consider including some extension of ACA funding alongside conservative reforms. He cautioned that without these extensions, moderates may ally with Democrats, utilizing a discharge petition to force a vote on a more favorable health care plan.
Johnson has announced plans for a floor vote on the GOP proposal next week, just before the House breaks for a two-week recess. Among the proposals discussed are expansions of health savings accounts and funding reductions for cost-sharing. “We have some low-hanging fruit,” Johnson stated, emphasizing that there are common ground solutions that Republicans agree on, but Democrats do not.
However, many in the party acknowledge that a comprehensive overhaul of the ACA is a far more complex issue that cannot be resolved swiftly. “Health care is unbelievably complicated,” remarked Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. “You’re not going to reform and bring down costs overnight.”
Fifteen House Republicans, primarily from swing districts, have rallied behind a bipartisan framework led by Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., which aims to extend ACA subsidies for two years. This effort faces fierce opposition from many GOP members who are against any support for “Obamacare” and prefer to see subsidies expire.
Johnson’s leadership team is leaning towards a plan that excludes ACA extensions, signaling a “line in the sand” against these vital tax credits. Yet, with the clock ticking, some Republicans are desperate to find solutions. “If you’re a conservative and you’re a Republican, do you want a Democrat majority next year?” Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., cautioned, highlighting the stakes involved in this legislative battle.
In addition to Kiggans and Gottheimer’s efforts, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., has proposed his own plan to extend ACA subsidies for two years. He argues this approach is vital to protect vulnerable GOP members and maintain the party’s fragile majority. Fitzpatrick has indicated he may resort to a discharge petition to force a vote if leadership fails to act, further complicating the already tense situation.
As pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether Republicans can unite behind a single plan before the impending deadline. A Democratic leadership aide warned that procedural issues could hinder any chance of passing a bill in time, leaving millions at risk of increased health insurance costs.
If the GOP fails to reach an agreement, the implications for their party could be severe, potentially jeopardizing their hold on Congress in the midterms. The urgency of the situation is palpable, as both parties brace for what could be a pivotal moment in American health care policy.
The coming days will be critical as House Republicans attempt to navigate their internal divisions to present a coherent health care strategy. With the deadline looming, all eyes are on the House floor as the fate of millions hangs in the balance.
