Overview
- Chuck Schumer said Democrats will bring a clean three-year extension of enhanced marketplace tax credits to a vote next week under a shutdown-ending agreement that guaranteed floor time.
- The enhanced subsidies expire at year’s end, with analyses warning of sharp premium increases and potential coverage losses for millions as open enrollment deadlines approach on December 15.
- The bill is expected to fall short without significant GOP support, with Republicans split and some pushing to add income caps, Hyde-like abortion restrictions or to redirect funds into Health Savings Accounts.
- House activity is fragmented, including Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s two-year plan with a 700% of poverty income cap plus HSA expansion and PBM reforms, and a new bipartisan effort led by Josh Gottheimer and Jen Kiggans, while Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to a vote.
- A KFF survey found strong enrollee support for extending the credits and greater likelihood of blaming President Trump and Republicans if they lapse, as experts note complex alternatives would be difficult to implement by January 1.