In a rare bipartisan move, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats in the vote.
In a significant display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday aimed at extending enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for three years. The legislation garnered support from 17 Republican lawmakers, allowing it to pass with a vote of 230 to 196. This outcome reflects increasing concern among lawmakers from both parties regarding the rising health insurance costs faced by millions of Americans.
The vote represents a notable challenge to Republican leadership, which had opposed bringing the bill to the floor. Democrats had anticipated divisions within the GOP and predicted that some Republicans would break ranks, a forecast that proved accurate.
“This vote is an opportunity to take a meaningful step forward to lower the high cost of living for everyday Americans, particularly when it comes to health care,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He characterized the coalition behind the bill as “a bipartisan effort on behalf of the American people.”
The legislation seeks to extend enhanced premium tax credits under the ACA for three additional years. These subsidies, which were first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased financial assistance for individuals already eligible under Obamacare and broadened eligibility to millions more. However, the enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025, which would lead to significant premium hikes for many households in 2026.
Estimates suggest that approximately 22 million of the 24 million individuals enrolled in ACA marketplaces currently benefit from these enhanced credits. Without congressional intervention, many Americans are already beginning to experience steep increases in their monthly insurance premiums.
Despite the House’s passage of the bill, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the upper chamber is not inclined to approve a straightforward three-year extension. “There’s no appetite for that,” Thune stated, emphasizing ongoing bipartisan negotiations aimed at pairing any extension with necessary reforms. “We’ll see what happens from the working group, and if they can come up with something that has reforms.”
Last month, the Senate rejected a similar three-year extension, failing to reach the required 60-vote threshold, even though four Republican senators crossed party lines to support it.
In the meantime, lawmakers from both chambers convened for approximately an hour on Thursday to discuss potential changes that could facilitate Senate approval. Key issues under consideration include income caps for eligibility, Flexible Savings Accounts, and measures to combat widespread fraud within ACA marketplaces.
“We’re trying to see if we can get to some agreement that’s going to help people — and the sooner, the better,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, noting a shared commitment to addressing fraudulent practices, such as phantom accounts.
While the specifics of a potential compromise remain undisclosed, lawmakers indicated that draft legislative text could be forthcoming in the days ahead.
One of the most contentious issues complicating negotiations is the debate over abortion funding. Many conservatives are advocating for the inclusion of Hyde Amendment protections, which prohibit federal funds from being used for abortion services. Democrats have countered that the ACA already complies with Hyde restrictions.
Some moderates acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “The ACA already includes Hyde protections,” said Representative Dan Meuser, suggesting that the current debate centers on whether those existing safeguards are adequate for conservative lawmakers.
Several Republican lawmakers who supported the bill represent swing districts where rising health insurance premiums could have serious political repercussions. A core group of Republicans, including Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, Robert Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie, previously signed a Democratic discharge petition to force the vote after Speaker Mike Johnson resisted bringing the issue to the floor.
“There’s a sense of urgency, to say the least,” Meuser emphasized, noting that lawmakers are under pressure as constituents face immediate premium increases.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the bill would increase the federal deficit by approximately $80.6 billion over the next decade. However, it would also significantly expand health insurance coverage.
If enacted, the CBO projects that the legislation would result in:
100,000 more insured individuals in 2026,
3 million more in 2027,
4 million more in 2028,
1.1 million more in 2029.
The largest coverage gains are expected to occur through ACA marketplaces, while some reductions may take place in employer-sponsored and off-marketplace plans.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly opposed extending the enhanced subsidies, arguing that Democrats should instead agree to broader health care reforms. “I’d like not to be able to do it,” Trump stated last month. “I don’t know why we have to extend — this can be done rapidly if the Democrats would come along.”
Nevertheless, the House vote indicates a growing bipartisan concern about allowing the subsidies to lapse permanently.
While the House’s passage marks a significant milestone, the future of the ACA subsidy extension now hinges on whether bipartisan negotiations can yield a Senate-friendly compromise. Lawmakers from both parties insist that discussions are nearing a breakthrough, though key ideological differences persist.
As Representative Tom Suozzi remarked, “It’s a hopeful feeling when you see Democrats and Republicans in the same room, trying to move beyond the toxicity and find common ground.”
For millions of Americans facing steep health insurance costs, the outcome of these negotiations could determine whether relief is on the horizon or if premiums will continue to rise.
According to Global Net News.