Healthcare costs anxiety grows as House GOP skips vote on ACA subsidies

Growing anxiety is building this morning over a potential spike in healthcare costs, as House Republican leaders have decided not to bring a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

(NBC)- Growing anxiety is building this morning over a potential spike in healthcare costs, as House Republican leaders have decided not to bring a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire in just two weeks.

Republican leadership says the decision comes after failing to reach an agreement with moderate members of the party. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the internal divisions, saying lawmakers are grappling with “very complicated questions and challenges,” adding that frustration with the process is unavoidable.

Moderate Republicans have sharply criticized the move. New York Congressman Mike Lawler said it is “idiotic” not to allow an up-or-down vote on the subsidies, calling the decision “political malpractice.” Lawler has argued for extending the subsidies alongside conservative reforms, noting that roughly three-quarters of people enrolled in Obamacare live in states won by President Trump.

Democrats are pushing for a three-year extension of the COVID-era subsidies, warning that premiums could double for about 20 million Americans if Congress fails to act. Republicans counter that the subsidies are too costly and say they do not want to continue funding what they view as a broken healthcare system.

Instead, the House is scheduled to vote today on a separate Republican-backed package that includes provisions aimed at reducing healthcare costs more broadly. Still, Senate Republican leaders acknowledge that any relief is unlikely to arrive before the subsidies expire. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there could be a potential path forward in January if Democrats are willing to negotiate on measures he says would lower healthcare costs.

Moderate Republicans could attempt to introduce an amendment during today’s vote to extend the subsidies or join Democrats in an effort to force a vote, though both options are considered unlikely.