In a surprising turn of events, four centrist Republicans have broken ranks with Speaker Mike Johnson and signed a Democratic-led petition that will compel the House to vote on extending pandemic-era health insurance subsidies. This initiative aims to reduce health insurance costs for millions of Americans and comes at a crucial time as the expiration of tax credits for those purchasing insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) looms at the end of the year.
The petition, spearheaded by Democrats, requires 218 signatures to force a vote on their proposed bill, which seeks to extend these vital subsidies for an additional three years. The Republicans who joined this bipartisan effort include Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie from Pennsylvania, along with Mike Lawler from New York. Their support brought the total to the necessary 218 signatures, paving the way for a potential vote on this critical issue as early as January.
Despite the growing support for the subsidy extension, House Republican leaders have continued to advance a health care bill that does not address the rising monthly premiums that many Americans are likely to face. The leadership's decision comes after discussions that included proposals to allow vulnerable GOP lawmakers a chance to vote on temporary extensions of the subsidies, which would also incorporate modifications like income caps for beneficiaries. However, the leadership ultimately aligned with the party's more conservative members, who have criticized the subsidies as a means of sustaining a failing ACA marketplace.
On Wednesday, House Republicans moved forward with a substantial health care package exceeding 100 pages, which did not include the subsidies. Instead, the focus shifted to longstanding GOP proposals aimed at expanding insurance coverage options for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Fitzpatrick and Lawler made attempts to include a temporary subsidy extension in the bill but were met with resistance. Fitzpatrick expressed disappointment, stating, “Our only request was a floor vote on this compromise, so that the American People’s voice could be heard on this issue. That request was rejected.”
Fitzpatrick further criticized the leadership's rejection of multiple amendments he and his colleagues proposed to enhance the bill. “House leadership then decided to reject every single one of these amendments. As I’ve stated many times before, the only policy that is worse than a clean three-year extension without any reforms is a policy of complete expiration without any bridge,” he remarked, highlighting the urgency of addressing health care costs for the American public.
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