House Passes GOP Health Care Bill Amid Internal Party Divisions

The House passed a GOP-backed health care bill, known as the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, in a 216 to 211 vote, but it notably excludes an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

According to CBS News, this legislation aims to expand association health plans and lower premiums for some enrollees, yet it has sparked significant internal debate within the Republican Party. Four moderate Republicans—Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, Rob Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie—joined Democrats to sign a discharge petition that will force a vote on extending the ACA subsidies for three years, reflecting growing concerns over potential premium spikes for millions of Americans, as highlighted by The Guardian.

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced criticism from moderates for refusing to hold a vote on the subsidy extension before the year-end deadline. While the GOP bill is designed to reduce health insurance costs by an estimated 11% and save $35.6 billion through 2035, the Congressional Budget Office estimates it could result in an average of 100,000 fewer people having health insurance per year from 2027 to 2035, as noted by Fox News.

The future of both the GOP bill and the Democratic push for subsidy extensions remains uncertain as they head into the new year, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressing noncommittal sentiments regarding the Senate's next steps, according to CBS News and Breitbart News.