Overview
- Chuck Schumer said Democrats will force a floor vote, expected Dec. 11, on a clean three-year renewal of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
- The bill needs 60 votes to pass, Democrats say they are unified, and at least 13 Republicans would be required, a threshold GOP senators signal is unlikely.
- Republicans are split between shorter extensions with limits and alternatives such as income caps, Hyde-style abortion restrictions, and routing funds to health accounts.
- KFF and other analyses project sharp premium increases and potential coverage losses if no fix passes, with about 22 million of 24 million marketplace enrollees now receiving subsidies.
- The vote stems from a shutdown-ending deal guaranteeing Democrats a December healthcare vote, as House moderates push a long-shot two-year framework and key deadlines hit Dec. 15 and Dec. 31.