Senate Democrats are introducing legislation to extend premium ACA tax credits by three years, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The bill would come to the Senate floor for a vote Dec. 11, “and every single Senate Democrat will support it,” he said.
The future of ACA subsidies has been in limbo. While the credits are set to expire at the end of the year, news outlets had reported that President Trump was set to propose a two-year extension, coupled with new eligibility restrictions. However, that announcement was postponed.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office documented ACA fraud risk in a Dec. 3 report, potentially bolstering Republican arguments. But AHIP is still advocating for an extension while weighing these concerns, suggesting tighter checks to limit “unauthorized enrollment.” Some proposed measures include stronger income-verification requirements and better oversight of agents and brokers.
Mr. Schumer said this bill is the “last chance” for Republicans to align as health insurance premiums are set to sharply rise.
“If Republicans block our bill, there’s no going back. We won’t get another chance to halt these premium spikes before they kick in at the start of the new year,” Mr. Schumer said. “Those insurance premiums in January will land like a hammer blow on the American people. The pain will fall on all Americans, but heaviest in Republicans’ own backyards.”
