Summary
A group of moderate Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives forced a vote on extending healthcare subsidies that are set to expire soon. This vote aims to prevent a significant rise in insurance premiums for millions of Americans who would be affected by the loss of these subsidies. The decision to vote comes despite previous disagreements among Republicans on how to extend the subsidies.
Key Facts
- A group of moderate Republicans initiated a vote to extend healthcare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
- The vote will take place in the House of Representatives and, if passed, will move to the Senate.
- These healthcare subsidies help reduce the cost of insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
- Without the subsidies, insurance premiums could more than double for millions of Americans.
- Some moderate Republicans used a method called a discharge petition to force the vote.
- Four Republican representatives from Pennsylvania and New York joined all Democrats in signing the petition.
- The proposed measure seeks to extend Covid-era subsidies for an additional three years.
- The Congressional Budget Office predicts that if the subsidies expire, 3.8 million more people could be uninsured each year.
