GOP Congressman BREAKS RANKS: ‘Enough — Extend ACA Help NOW
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) joined a group of lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday urging House leadership in both parties to take up an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025.
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“This group is coming together today to say to our leadership on both sides, enough,” Lawler said in remarks captured by C-SPAN. “How do we deal with this in the immediate and the long term? The immediate requires passage of an extension on the enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act.”
The enhanced credits — originally expanded during the pandemic — lowered monthly insurance premiums for millions of ACA marketplace enrollees. If Congress does not act, the expanded subsidies will lapse, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for many individuals and families beginning in the 2026 plan year.
Lawler and a bipartisan bloc of members have been pushing for a vote on legislation that would prevent that spike. Some Republicans remain opposed, arguing the enhanced subsidies were meant to be temporary, while others warn that allowing them to expire would destabilize the ACA marketplace and drive premiums even higher.
The group did not specify a timeline for when they expect House leadership to bring an extension to the floor, but Lawler emphasized urgency as open enrollment continues and insurers begin planning next year’s rates.