US House Speaker says he won’t seek vote to extend healthcare aid

(MENAFN) House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that he will not call for a vote to extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which are set to expire at the end of the year. The decision is likely to result in higher insurance premiums for millions of low-income Americans.

The subsidies, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, were intended as temporary relief, but Democrats argue that letting them expire will burden ordinary Americans with significant cost increases. Republicans, including Johnson, say the $35 billion annual cost of extending the subsidies must be offset by spending cuts, and therefore oppose an extension without fiscal adjustments.

Moderate Republicans, many facing tough re-election campaigns, have expressed frustration, arguing that as the party in power, they cannot allow healthcare premiums to rise.

Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) voiced anger at the potential impact on constituents, noting that three-quarters of Obamacare recipients live in states won by Donald Trump.

Some House Republicans have floated the idea of joining Democrats to force a vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies through a discharge petition. However, with the holiday recess approaching, any vote would likely be delayed until next year. Even if the House approves such a measure, it faces significant hurdles in the Senate.

Lawmakers continue to grapple with the political and fiscal implications, leaving millions of Americans uncertain about healthcare costs heading into 2026.

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