A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced legislation to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies for two years.
The bill is backed by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), and Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), aiming to break congressional gridlock.
The big picture: The extension would cover enrollees earning less than $200,000 annually for a family of four, with phased-out support for those earning $200,000–$300,000; currently, there is no income cap.
- The legislation introduces new measures to combat fraud, including preventing “ghost beneficiaries” and strengthening checks on enrollee eligibility and status.
- Marketplace authorities would gain increased power to remove fraudulent actors and confirm enrollees are active and eligible.
- Open enrollment for ACA plans would be extended to May 15 to aid those who may have been discouraged by high premiums.
- The bill seeks compromise by addressing both conservative concerns about fraud and Democratic priorities to maintain subsidy levels.
Go deeper: House GOP leaders remain opposed to extending the enhanced subsidies without broader health care reforms or concessions.
- Democrats are pushing for a “clean” extension but signal willingness to negotiate details as long as subsidies continue.
- President Trump opposes extension of the subsidies, suggesting direct cash assistance to consumers instead.
- Competing Senate proposals include turning subsidies into health savings accounts (Sen. Cassidy) and letting subsidies expire while allowing state waivers and broader insurance sales (Sen. Rick Scott).
