PRES. TRUMP AWARDED INAUGURAL FIFA PEACE PRIZE AT WORLD CUP DRAW IN WASHINGTON . (PHOTOS).
House Republicans are facing a looming health care crisis as billions in Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding are set to expire on Dec. 31, potentially causing premiums to soar for an estimated 22 million Americans. At a closed-door meeting Tuesday, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), a swing district lawmaker, urged her colleagues to extend the expiring subsidies, which cap premiums for benchmark ACA plans at 8.5% of income. Kiggans proposed a one-year stopgap extension, but only 14 Republicans have signed on, and her appeal received a lukewarm response.
President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders have made clear they oppose continuing the ACA subsidies in their current form, calling for alternatives that would give the funds directly to individuals through options like health savings accounts or direct payments. Party leadership criticized the ACA during Tuesday’s meeting and encouraged members to craft alternative proposals, though some Republicans expressed frustration at the tight timeline. Insurers have already set rates for 2026, complicating a last-minute extension. Meanwhile, several Republicans representing competitive districts said they support a temporary continuation to prevent harm to their constituents, while others insisted the ACA subsidies are politically and fiscally untenable. Lawmakers are now weighing options, including discharge petitions, as they attempt to avert a health care cliff before the end of the year.
Comments
Post a Comment