D.C. Region Faces ACA Shock as Subsidy Deadline Closes In

December 3, 2025

Hundreds of thousands of residents across Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia face dramatically higher health insurance costs if Congress fails to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies before they expire at the end of the month. The potential premium increases are particularly severe for older enrollees, with 60-year-old couples earning $85,000 potentially facing monthly increases ranging from $1,100 to $1,900 depending on their location. While the Senate has committed to holding a vote in early December, House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to guarantee consideration of an extension, calling the subsidies a "boondoggle.

Who is affected

More than 682,000 people across D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia who purchased ACA exchange coverage
28% of D.C. enrollees, 78% of Maryland enrollees, 87% of Virginia enrollees, and 98% of West Virginia enrollees receiving advanced premium tax credits
Older households in the region, particularly 60-year-old couples with moderate incomes
Families who rely on marketplace coverage throughout the Washington region

What action is being taken

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has filed a discharge petition to bring a three-year extension bill to the House floor
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is working with Democrats on a bipartisan compromise plan with new eligibility limits
Senate Democrats are preparing for a floor vote in early December per Senate Majority Leader John Thune's commitment

Why it matters

The expiration of ACA subsidies would cause immediate and severe financial harm to hundreds of thousands of local residents, with potential monthly premium increases exceeding $1,900 for some households. The issue sits at the center of a national political fight with direct consequences for Washington-area families who could lose affordable health coverage. The situation highlights the tension between political ideology and practical impacts on constituents, with Democrats warning that communities in and around the nation's capital will experience significant hardship if Congress fails to act before the end-of-month deadline.

What's next

The Senate is expected to vote in early December on ACA-related legislation
House Democrats need a handful of Republicans to join their discharge petition to force a floor vote with only 13 legislative days remaining
Any legislation requires President Trump's signature to become law

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer