The Republican-led House advanced a Democratic bill to reinstate enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, with nine Republicans joining 212 Democrats to set up a final vote expected Thursday. The CBO says restoring the subsidies would lower premiums for about 24 million people, expand coverage by roughly 3.8 million and increase federal costs by about $350 billion over 10 years; without them an extra 100,000 people could become uninsured annually. Backers say a House victory could revive compromise talks after the Senate rejected the measure and intensify healthcare as a midterm campaign issue.
House Advances Democratic Plan To Restore Expired ACA Subsidies; Vote Could Shape Midterm Race
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer speaks following Senate votes on competing healthcare plans, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. House on Wednesday advanced a Democratic bill to reinstate enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that expired at the end of 2025, setting up a likely final vote on Thursday.
Key Vote And Political Stakes
Nine House Republicans broke with their party to join 212 Democrats in moving the measure forward. Supporters say a successful House vote — though the Senate has already rejected the proposal — could build momentum for a compromise and sharpen the debate over healthcare costs ahead of November's congressional elections.
What The Bill Would Do
The proposal would restore subsidies that lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for roughly 24 million Americans who buy coverage through the ACA marketplaces. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that under the Democrats' plan about 3.8 million more people would gain coverage and federal spending would rise by approximately $350 billion over the next decade.
Impact If Subsidies Aren't Restored
The CBO also projects that without the enhanced subsidies an additional 100,000 people a year would become uninsured and government spending would fall by about $36 billion over 10 years. Outside analysts warn some enrollees could see their healthcare costs roughly double if the subsidies lapse.
House GOP Alternative And Political Context
House Republicans passed an alternative plan last month that would reduce subsidy levels overall, producing lower costs for some enrollees and higher costs for others; that plan would not take effect until 2027. Four Republicans from competitive, swing districts previously joined Democrats to force a House vote despite objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Political note: Democrats have made reinstating subsidies a centerpiece of their push to regain control of both chambers in November, while Republicans have framed the debate around affordability and other priorities. President Donald Trump has criticized the use of the word "affordability," and urged Republicans to oppose the Democratic proposal while urging flexibility on other issues.
Reporting by Richard Cowan; editing and clarity updates by the Reuters copy were preserved in this summary.
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