Overview
- Chuck Schumer said Democrats will force a floor vote next week on a clean, three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that cap benchmark premiums at 8.5% of income.
- Advancing the bill requires 60 votes, meaning about 13 Republicans would need to join Democrats, and leaders in both parties signal the measure is likely to fail.
- The enhanced credits expire at year-end for roughly 24 million marketplace enrollees, with analysts warning of sharp premium increases and potential coverage losses as a Dec. 15 enrollment deadline approaches.
- Republicans remain split, with some favoring short or modified extensions and others pushing income caps, minimum payments, health savings account alternatives, or Hyde-style abortion restrictions, citing a GAO report on marketplace fraud.
- A bipartisan House group unveiled a 'CommonGround 2025' framework for a shorter extension with targeted changes, but House floor prospects are uncertain as Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to a vote.