After failure in the Senate, House GOP has its own health care proposal

"After the Senate failed to advance bills to address health care costs this week, House Republicans released proposed legislation late Friday that would not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax subsidies but would make other changes party leaders insist will improve Americans' access to health care. Time is running out for Congress to act. Once the subsidies for Americans who buy health care plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expire at the end of the year, millions of Americans' premiums will skyrocket."

"Friday's proposal from House Republicans includes measures that would allow small businesses to join together to buy insurance plans for their employees and put in place new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers in an effort to lower drug costs. Starting in 2027, federal payments, known as cost-sharing reduction payments, would aim to lower premiums for some low-income Americans. Health plans that provide abortion coverage would be excluded."

"A vote on the package is expected next week, House Speaker Mike Johnson said. "House Republicans are tackling the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation's health care system for all Americans," Johnson said in a statement. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted the proposal Saturday. "Mike Johnson just released a toxic Republican Healthcare plan that hurts everyday Americans," Jeffries wrote on X."

House Republicans released a health care proposal that would not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and would pursue alternative cost measures. Enhanced subsidies that began in 2021 are scheduled to expire at year-end and could cause premiums to spike for millions who buy plans on the ACA marketplace. The proposal allows small businesses to join together to buy coverage, adds requirements for pharmacy benefit managers to lower drug costs, and establishes federal cost-sharing reduction payments beginning in 2027 targeted to some low-income Americans. Health plans that include abortion coverage would be excluded. A House vote is expected next week amid looming congressional recess deadlines.

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