Fitzpatrick, GOP centrists hope to pair ACA subsidy extension with eligibility reforms
A Don Quixote moment? Or fighting on behalf of constituents?
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) and other Republican centrists are planning to introduce an amendment in the House Rules Committee on Tuesday that pairs a two-year extension of the subsidies with eligibility reforms.
A squabble has developed between the House GOP leadership and the moderates in the party over allowing a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
Congressional Republicans are deeply divided on the issue. Despite warnings from moderates that the party will lose its majority if it allows health care costs to soar for millions of voters, GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate have been unable to overcome the party’s longstanding aversion to the ACA.
Fitzpatrick was joined by Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Rob Bresnahan (R-08), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Donald G. Davis (D-N.C.), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) to introduce the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act, a two-party, targeted solution to prevent a sharp jump in healthcare costs as current protections expire and ensure millions of Americans can maintain affordable coverage.
The amendment moderates are pushing would be attached to a broader GOP health care package introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) late last week. The package would appropriate funds to pay for cost-sharing reductions, expand association health plans and make it easier for businesses to fund their own insurance plans, but would not address expiring enhanced ObamaCare subsidies.
If the amendment were added to the package, it would likely face opposition from hard-line conservatives who are staunchly opposed to extending the subsidies.
“House Republicans are not serious about ending the healthcare crisis they have unleashed in this country,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in a statement. “After promising legislation for months, this 11th hour measure fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that tens of millions of Americans rely on to afford their healthcare. This so-called plan is the height of irresponsibility, with just five legislative days until premiums skyrocket by as much as $1,000 or $2,000 per month for working class Americans. The bill will cause millions of people to lose coverage, promotes junk health insurance plans and further limits the freedom of women to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions.
“If the bill reaches the House floor, I will strongly oppose it. We have a position: a straight 3-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include a recent Jeffries comment.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA.
