After Senate rejection, House Speaker rules out ACA subsidy vote; 2026 lapse more likely
After the Senate voted down both a Democratic plan to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies and a Republican alternative—and with Senate Republicans unveiling a plan that does not include the extensions—the likelihood the enhanced subsidies will lapse for the 2026 plan year has risen, threatening steep premium increases for millions nationally (including about 89,000 MNsure recipients and up to 24 million exchange enrollees). House Speaker Mike Johnson said Dec. 16 the House will not take up a subsidy-extension vote and will instead press a GOP health‑care plan, closing near‑term congressional paths despite a White House draft to extend subsidies for two years with eligibility caps and minimum premiums.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. Senate voted down dueling health-care measures — including a Democratic plan to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies and a Republican alternative — making a lapse of the enhanced subsidies for the 2026 plan year more likely.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Dec. 16 that the House will not take up a vote to extend the enhanced ACA premium subsidies and will instead move ahead with a Republican health-care plan, effectively closing near-term legislative paths in the House.
- The White House circulated a draft to extend enhanced ACA subsidies for two years that would cap eligibility at 700% of the federal poverty level and end zero‑premium plans by requiring a minimum enrollee premium (reported options include about 2% of income or at least $5/month); White House officials said no plan is final and talks are ongoing, with Sen. Maggie Hassan calling it a starting point.
- U.S. Senate Republicans rolled out a health-care plan (Dec. 9) that does not include extending the enhanced premium subsidies, contrasting with the White House draft and increasing uncertainty about whether subsidies will continue.
- Democrats have proposed different extension lengths (a one‑year Senate proposal and a three‑year House proposal), while Republicans have discussed alternative changes or a broader ACA overhaul, leaving competing proposals and no consensus.
- If enhanced ACA subsidies lapse Jan. 1, as many as 24 million exchange enrollees nationally could be at risk of higher premiums, with tens of thousands of Minnesotans on MNsure potentially affected.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the uninsured rate for Hispanic adults aged 19-64 was 23.0%, compared to 6.8% for White non-Hispanic adults.
In 2024, the uninsured rate for Black adults aged 19-64 was 12.3%, compared to 6.8% for White non-Hispanic adults.
During the 2024 Open Enrollment Period, nearly 5 million Latino Americans made plan selections in HealthCare.gov.
HealthCare.gov Plan Selections by Race and Ethnicity, 2015-2024 — ASPE
During the 2024 Open Enrollment Period, 3 million Black Americans made plan selections in HealthCare.gov.
HealthCare.gov Plan Selections by Race and Ethnicity, 2015-2024 — ASPE
In Medicaid expansion states, uninsured rates for Latino people under age 65 were 14%, compared to 25% in non-expansion states (2022 data).
Health Coverage Rates Vary Widely Across — and Within — Racial and Ethnic Groups — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Non-citizens had higher uninsured rates than citizens overall (32% vs. 8%), with stark differences in Latino groups (46% vs. 11%) (2022 data).
Health Coverage Rates Vary Widely Across — and Within — Racial and Ethnic Groups — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
📰 Source Timeline (8)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- House Speaker Mike Johnson said the U.S. House will not take up a vote to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
- Statement made Dec. 16, 2025, effectively closing near-term legislative paths in the House.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson rebuffed efforts to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
- Johnson indicated the House will move ahead with a Republican health care plan instead of a subsidy extension.
- The House leadership stance narrows the path for any near‑term extension following the Senate’s rejection of both parties’ proposals.
- The U.S. Senate voted down dueling health-care proposals: a Democratic plan to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies and a Republican alternative.
- The failure of both measures increases the likelihood that enhanced ACA subsidies will lapse for the 2026 plan year, risking premium hikes for enrollees, including tens of thousands on MNsure.
- Article outlines what’s at stake for consumers and possible next steps after the votes failed.
- The U.S. Senate is poised to reject an extension of the enhanced ACA premium subsidies in upcoming votes, making a lapse more likely.
- The chamber is taking up dueling measures, with the leading Senate plan reportedly excluding a subsidy extension.
- U.S. Senate Republicans unveiled a health-care plan that does not include extending the enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
- The GOP proposal contrasts with the previously reported White House draft to extend subsidies, increasing uncertainty over whether subsidies will continue.
- Rollout date identified as December 9, 2025.
- The White House is circulating a draft plan to extend enhanced ACA subsidies for two more years.
- Draft includes capping eligibility at 700% of the federal poverty level (above the pre‑pandemic 400% FPL baseline).
- Proposal would end zero‑premium plans by requiring all enrollees to pay a minimum premium (reported options include 2% of income or at least $5/month).
- White House officials say no plan is final until announced by President Trump; a spokesperson and the press secretary confirmed ongoing talks.
- Sen. Maggie Hassan (D‑N.H.) called it a starting point, signaling possible bipartisan negotiations.
- Mid‑December Senate vote promised on extending ACA subsidies that prevent sharp premium hikes, but House GOP leaders signal opposition.
- Democratic proposals include a one‑year (Senate) and a three‑year (House) extension; Republicans weigh changes or broader ACA overhaul.
- AP cites up to 24 million exchange enrollees at risk nationally if subsidies lapse Jan. 1.