Overview
- House Republicans plan a vote this week on a package that excludes an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, with a possible amendment to add one still in flux and little chance of producing a bill that can pass the Senate.
- The Senate last week failed to reach the 60 votes needed for both a three‑year subsidy extension and a Republican alternative steering aid to Health Savings Account‑style payments, leaving no bipartisan path in that chamber.
- The House bill includes funding for cost‑sharing reductions, expanded association health plans, pharmacy benefit manager transparency, and employer reimbursements for exchange coverage, measures analysts say would not prevent 2026 premium spikes.
- Independent estimates warn of steep impacts if the credits expire, with KFF projecting an average 114% increase in annual premiums (about $1,000) in 2026 and the CBO estimating roughly 2 million more uninsured, while Sen. Jon Ossoff projects about 500,000 Georgians could lose access to coverage.
- Bipartisan maneuvers to force votes are short of the mark, with discharge petitions led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Josh Gottheimer still well below 218 signatures as Dec. 15 enrollment deadlines and the Dec. 31 expiration make immediate relief unlikely.