House GOP Faces Urgent Deadline on Health Care Plan Amid Rising Costs

UPDATE: House Republicans are racing against the clock to finalize a health care plan ahead of a critical deadline that could see insurance premiums soar for millions of Americans. An urgent vote is expected next week, just before Congress breaks for the holidays, as party leaders scramble to address the looming expiration of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on December 31, 2023.

Insurance costs are projected to skyrocket if Congress fails to act, putting immense pressure on Republican lawmakers to unite behind a plan that will shield them from Democratic backlash over rising health care expenses. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana is facing a divisive caucus, as conservatives push for a proposal that does not extend ACA subsidies and instead offers limited financial support to help defray costs.

During a closed-door meeting, Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina captured the sentiment, stating, “The consensus is we need to come up with something.” Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio warned that without some extension of ACA funding, moderates may join forces with Democrats to force a vote, potentially undermining the GOP’s position.

Lawmakers are discussing various proposals, including expanding health savings accounts and funding cost-sharing reductions, but significant disagreement persists. Johnson claimed, “We have some low-hanging fruit” that Republicans can agree on, but acknowledged that a comprehensive overhaul of Obamacare will require more time and effort.

Fifteen House Republicans, particularly from swing districts, have endorsed a bipartisan plan led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) to extend ACA subsidies for two years, albeit with modifications. However, these moderate voices find themselves outnumbered in a party largely opposed to any support for what some refer to as “Obamacare.”

In a bold move, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania has introduced his own ACA extension plan, garnering bipartisan support from several Democratic representatives. Fitzpatrick’s proposal aims to extend tax credits for two years and improve access to health savings accounts. He has hinted at the possibility of pursuing a discharge petition to force a vote if leadership does not act swiftly.

The stakes are high as the December deadline approaches. “Letting the subsidies lapse could cost us seats or even our majority,” warned Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), emphasizing the political risks associated with failing to extend funding. “If you’re a conservative and you’re a Republican, do you want a Democratic majority next year? I don’t think so.”

Despite the urgency, the path forward remains unclear. Any plan that passes the House will still face the daunting challenge of securing approval in the Senate. As the clock ticks down, a Democratic leadership aide voiced concerns over the feasibility of implementing any new measures in time to prevent a spike in premiums.

As the deadline looms, the urgency of the situation is palpable. Lawmakers are aware that the decisions made in the coming days will have lasting implications for American health care and the political landscape heading into the midterm elections.

With all eyes on Capitol Hill, the next week will be critical for House Republicans as they attempt to navigate their internal divisions and respond to the mounting pressure from constituents facing skyrocketing health care costs.