Senate moderates see new momentum for ACA deal
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Sen. Bernie Moreno at a hearing on Oct. 30. Photo: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A rebellion by House Republican centrists Wednesday on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies is boosting prospects for bipartisan health care talks in the Senate going into the new year.
Why it matters: The tax credits will expire at the end of the month, raising premium costs for millions of Americans. But some key senators are holding out hope for reviving the subsidies in some form early next year.
Driving the news: House Republican leaders pushed through a GOP health bill Wednesday containing a set of conservative priorities, but left out a subsidy extension.
- But four House GOP centrists joined with the chamber's Democrats to sign a petition and force a vote — likely in January — on a Democratic proposal for a clean three-year extension of the subsidies without changes.
- That extension will be dead on arrival in the Senate. But key lawmakers there still see it as an opening to pass a compromise package.
"I think it keeps the conversation live," Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), who has been involved in bipartisan talks, told Axios.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters that the House moderates' revolt "is certainly a boost."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters if the House sends over an ACA bill, "it creates a revenue vehicle that we could use for something if there ever is a deal that emerges."
Catch up quick: A bipartisan and bicameral group of moderates met on Wednesday to try to chart a path forward.
- Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told Axios leaving that meeting that there is "no scenario" where the Senate passes a clean extension. But he added: "An extension with reforms is possible."
What to watch: The talks have centered on a proposal from Collins and Moreno to extend the subsidies for two years with changes like an income cap on eligibility and a requirement that recipients make minimum premium payments.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) a key Democratic moderate in the talks, told Axios on Wednesday she is open to that proposal, "depending on the technical details as it gets written."
- "We have sort of a compromise proposal that we're putting the finishing touches on," Husted said. "But whether there's votes for it or not, I have no idea."
The big picture: There are still major obstacles to a deal.
- Some Republicans continue to demand that any deal include new limits preventing ACA subsidies from going to insurance plans that cover abortion. Democrats reject that as a nonstarter, saying safeguards already are in place.
- And even if negotiators cut a deal, there's no guarantee that Thune will bring it up for a vote. The Senate will once again be juggling appropriations and another government funding cliff in January.
- What's more, the Trump administration continues to hold tremendous sway. "The White House keeps pretty close tabs on what's going on," Moreno told Axios, adding, "That's not the impediment right now."
