Earlier this month, the House passed a measure by a vote of 230-196 that would have restored the expired ACA subsidies for three years; 17 House Republicans crossed party lines to vote in favor of the measure. It was reported that a group of Senators, led by Maine Republican Susan Collins, was working to strike a deal that would revive the subsidies with modifications; however, talks in the Senate have since stalled. The House-passed measure could serve as a legislative vehicle for a Senate compromise, if lawmakers can reach one that satisfies enough Senators. The group must balance Democrats’ desire to leave the tax credits largely unchanged, and Republicans’ demands to impose income caps, eliminate cost-free premiums, and bolster abortion restrictions and fraud protections.
This week, Congressional leaders have coalesced around a narrower bipartisan health care package focused on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms and safety-net funding. The package, which is attached to the broader government funding measure passed by the House, includes provisions championed by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the chair and ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, to prohibit PBMs from retaining revenue from drug rebates. The agreement would also extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027, extend certain public health programs, and increase funding for community health centers. While the package has support from both parties and congressional leadership, it notably does not include an extension of the expired ACA premium tax credits.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.