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- By Native News Online Staff
The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, approving the measure on a 230-196 vote.
Seventeen Republicans joined 213 Democrats to pass the bill, which would restore subsidies first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enhanced subsidies expired at the end of last year, leading to higher premiums for millions of Americans.
House Democrats forced the vote after gathering enough signatures in December. The floor debate exposed sharp partisan divisions over the program.
Republicans argued the law allows fraud, overpayments and benefits for ineligible recipients. “I take greater access to affordable health care any day over shoveling more tax dollars into Democrats’ health care fraud schemes,” said Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo.
Democrats said the subsidies are needed to keep coverage affordable. “Our enhanced credits make sure that nobody would pay more than 8.5% of their income for coverage,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.
Republicans pointed to their alternative proposal, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which they say would lower premiums by 11%. The bill passed the House along party lines but is unlikely to advance in the Senate, where a 60-vote majority is required.
“We need less mandates, less taxes, less regulations, and we need more freedom, more choice, more competition,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas. “We’re willing to work with you, but this is beyond the pale, and it’s audacious to call it affordable health care.”
Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said the pandemic-era subsidies now benefit people who no longer need them. “We made these premium tax credits during COVID,” Bean said. “COVID is over, and these subsidies should be over with it.”
Some Republicans also called for adding abortion funding restrictions. Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., said the Hyde Amendment should be applied to the Affordable Care Act. “Polling shows that the majority of Americans do not want public funding for abortion. Abortion is the polar opposite of health care,” Smith said.
Democrats praised the bill and urged the Senate to act. “Every Democrat supports this bill because we believe health care is a right for all, not a privilege for the few,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “No family should be pushed out of coverage.”
“Our vote today represents hope,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. “The hope for so many Americans who’ve wondered how they will be able to afford health care.”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune has said a subsidy extension as proposed by House Democrats is unlikely to pass.
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