Overview
- Senate Democrats set a vote this week on a clean three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, but the plan lacks the Republican support needed to clear 60 votes.
- House Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote, while a bipartisan group unveiled “CommonGround 2025,” seeking a one-year extension with income caps, anti-fraud measures, and an open enrollment extension to March 26.
- Republican leaders have not united behind a plan as conservatives push for income caps and abortion-related conditions, Speaker Mike Johnson signals a vote without naming a bill, and President Trump backs routing funds to Health Savings Accounts without offering a detailed blueprint.
- Independent estimates warn of steep fallout if the credits lapse, with KFF projecting average benchmark premiums more than doubling in 2026 and the CBO estimating 3.8 million more uninsured by 2035.
- Swing-district Republicans warn of political and consumer backlash, with Reps. Jen Kiggans and Ryan Mackenzie urging a temporary extension even as party leaders remain noncommittal.