More than a dozen House Republicans joined every Democrat on Thursday to pass a bill to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years — the sharpest rejection by GOP members of the party’s leadership yet.
House passes bill extending health care subsidies, bucking GOP leaders
The pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of last year, driving upcosts for millions of Americans who buy health insurance on the ACA marketplace and qualified for the assistance. GOP leaders made no attempt to address the issue as the deadline neared, despite warnings from members in swing districts that higher prices could threaten their chances in this fall’s midterm elections and put Republicans in the minority. The party has been trying unsuccessfully to dismantle the ACA since it became law in 2010.