House GOP to Unveil Health Care Bill Amid ACA Subsidy Expiration Deadlock

House Speaker Mike Johnson is preparing to introduce a Republican health care bill aimed at addressing the expiration of premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), though the bill is unlikely to break the current congressional deadlock. The GOP plan reportedly includes measures to offer less comprehensive insurance plans to compete with ACA policies and proposes redirecting premium tax credits toward tax-sheltered savings accounts for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Congressional Democrats remain unified in their call to simply extend the existing ACA premium subsidies for three years without alterations, a move they plan to force a vote on despite low chances of success due to anticipated Republican opposition and a likely Senate filibuster. Republican House leadership, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has not prioritized extending the ACA premium subsidies, and outreach efforts to shape the GOP bill have not involved Democratic input. Senate Republicans have yet to indicate consensus or support for the proposed health care plan, with Senate GOP leader John Thune noting uncertainty about whether the Senate will take up any health care legislation this year. Without an extension of subsidies, over 20 million Americans covered under the ACA are expected to face significant premium increases, potentially more than doubling average costs, which could drive many to forgo insurance coverage. Critics of the GOP proposal argue that the suggested alternatives may not yield immediate cost reductions in health care and could present implementation challenges for states. The Republican plan is expected to be unveiled next week, with a vote anticipated before Congress recesses for the holidays on December 19. The partisan standoff underscores the ongoing challenges in securing bipartisan solutions to health care affordability and coverage continuity for millions of Americans relying on ACA marketplaces. The debate centers on balancing comprehensive coverage options with budgetary constraints amid a divided Congress.