House Republicans Propose Healthcare Plan with No Extension of Tax Credits
With millions of Americans facing sharply rising health insurance premiums due to expiring tax credits, US House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a Republican alternative plan late Friday. The bill does not extend the enhanced tax subsidies for individuals purchasing coverage through Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
The proposal focuses on long-sought Republican proposals to enhance access to employer-sponsored health insurance plans and clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Republicans aim to expand access to association health plans, which would allow more small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together and purchase health coverage. Proponents argue that such plans increase leverage for businesses to negotiate lower rates, while critics claim they provide skimpier coverage than the ACA.
The plan also requires more data from PBMs as a way to control drug costs. However, critics say PBMs have padded their bottom lines, making it difficult for independent pharmacists to survive. Additionally, the Republican plan includes cost-sharing reductions for some lower-income people who rely on Obamacare, but these do not take effect until January 2027.
The emerging package does not include an extension of the enhanced tax credit for millions of Americans purchasing coverage through ACA marketplaces, which expires December 31. Without this credit, families in the program will face more than double their current out-of-pocket premiums and, in some cases, much more.
President Donald Trump has promised to provide Americans with stipends to help buy insurance, rather than extending tax credits. However, he offered few details beyond his proposal, which might not cover increased premiums facing Americans in 2026 for even one month.
Meanwhile, a group of centrist Republican lawmakers is aligning with Democrats to push their own proposals for continuing the tax credits. They are pursuing several paths, including co-sponsoring bills and signing onto discharge petitions that could force a floor vote if a majority of the House signs on. Two such petitions, filed by Brian Fitzpatrick and Josh Gottheimer, have garnered bipartisan support.
The fate of these proposals remains uncertain, with vulnerable House Republicans representing key battleground districts facing pressure to pass a solution.
With millions of Americans facing sharply rising health insurance premiums due to expiring tax credits, US House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a Republican alternative plan late Friday. The bill does not extend the enhanced tax subsidies for individuals purchasing coverage through Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
The proposal focuses on long-sought Republican proposals to enhance access to employer-sponsored health insurance plans and clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Republicans aim to expand access to association health plans, which would allow more small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together and purchase health coverage. Proponents argue that such plans increase leverage for businesses to negotiate lower rates, while critics claim they provide skimpier coverage than the ACA.
The plan also requires more data from PBMs as a way to control drug costs. However, critics say PBMs have padded their bottom lines, making it difficult for independent pharmacists to survive. Additionally, the Republican plan includes cost-sharing reductions for some lower-income people who rely on Obamacare, but these do not take effect until January 2027.
The emerging package does not include an extension of the enhanced tax credit for millions of Americans purchasing coverage through ACA marketplaces, which expires December 31. Without this credit, families in the program will face more than double their current out-of-pocket premiums and, in some cases, much more.
President Donald Trump has promised to provide Americans with stipends to help buy insurance, rather than extending tax credits. However, he offered few details beyond his proposal, which might not cover increased premiums facing Americans in 2026 for even one month.
Meanwhile, a group of centrist Republican lawmakers is aligning with Democrats to push their own proposals for continuing the tax credits. They are pursuing several paths, including co-sponsoring bills and signing onto discharge petitions that could force a floor vote if a majority of the House signs on. Two such petitions, filed by Brian Fitzpatrick and Josh Gottheimer, have garnered bipartisan support.
The fate of these proposals remains uncertain, with vulnerable House Republicans representing key battleground districts facing pressure to pass a solution.
... it's like they're trying to take away the safety net for people who can't afford insurance 
. I get that we need to control costs and all, but do we have to make it even harder for low-income families? The idea of cost-sharing reductions doesn't sound like much help if it's not implemented soon enough 
. And what about the pharmacies, they're already struggling, why should we add more stress to their lives? 
It's all about finding a balance, but this plan just seems too extreme for me. We need something that works for everyone, not just those who can afford it 
I'm actually kinda stoked about this situation 
. Think about it, if they don't extend the tax credits, it's gonna force ppl to get creative with their health insurance options 
. Maybe more people will turn to employer-sponsored plans or shop around for better deals 
. And on the flip side, PBMs have been getting way too comfy on their profits 
. So if they crack down on that, it might actually help bring prices down. Plus, there's a chance those centrist Reps could step up and propose some compromise 
.
It's like the Republicans are playing a game where everyone loses 
. If they don't extend the tax credits, millions of Americans will be left high and dry 
. And now this new plan just makes it worse? "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" 
meanwhile all these centrist reps are trying to do the right thing and help ppl out... guess they're not as bad as everyone makes 'em out to be 
The way things are going, it's like they're trying to recreate the problems of the past rather than finding solutions for the future 
Like, I'm no expert but it seems like the GOP's healthcare plan is just going to kick millions of people to the curb... I mean, who doesn't love being forced to pay more for health insurance?