WASHINGTON — Four House Republicans sided with Democrats on Wednesday to push a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at year's end. This move highlights increasing divisions within the GOP over health care.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan Jr., and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania, along with Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, signed a Democratic-backed petition that reached the 218-signature threshold to require a House vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies. The vote could occur as early as January.
The subsidies, which were expanded during the pandemic, have helped keep monthly health insurance premiums lower for millions of Americans. If they expire as planned, many consumers will face sharp cost increases next year.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Republicans not to back the effort and is pushing a separate health care bill that doesn’t include the expiring subsidies. The four Republicans who crossed party lines represent competitive districts and said they wanted a chance to vote on relief for constituents facing higher health care costs.
Even if the measure passes the House, it faces long odds in the Senate. Still, the move forces lawmakers to confront the impact of higher premiums, an issue Democrats are expected to highlight as the election approaches.
