No vote coming on extending healthcare subsidies, US House Speaker says

December 16, 2025

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced he will not bring healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans to a vote, virtually guaranteeing that insurance premiums will rise for millions when these benefits expire at year's end. The subsidies, which were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Affordable Care Act, have become a major point of contention between Republicans who view them as temporary measures and Democrats who warn of significant cost increases for ordinary citizens. Johnson and moderate Republicans failed to reach agreement on extending the benefits due to disagreements over offsetting the estimated $35 billion annual cost with spending cuts.

Who is affected

Millions of low-income Americans who currently use the healthcare subsidies
Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) marketplace health insurance plans
Moderate House Republicans facing difficult re-election campaigns in November midterms
Constituents in states Donald Trump won (where three-quarters of Obamacare enrollees reside)

What action is being taken

Some House Republicans are suggesting they may join a Democratic push to force a House vote through a discharge petition on a clean three-year extension of the subsidies

Why it matters

This decision will result in healthcare insurance premium increases for millions of Americans at a time when people are already frustrated by rising costs of goods and services. The expiration of these subsidies represents a significant shift in healthcare affordability for low-income populations who rely on Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance. The issue also creates political vulnerability for Republicans heading into midterm elections, as they control Congress and will be held accountable for allowing healthcare costs to rise, particularly in districts Trump won where Obamacare enrollment is high.

What's next

Democrats need four Republicans in the House to join their discharge petition effort to force a vote on the extension
If the discharge petition succeeds, it is unlikely to get a floor vote until next year due to the approaching holiday season and House members planning to leave Washington by week's end
Even if the measure passes the House, it is unlikely to have enough support in the Senate

Read full article from source: BBC