The Subsidy Vote That Came Too Late

House Republicans join Democrats to extend ACA subsidies, but the damage is already done

On January 8, the House of Representatives passed a bill to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for three more years. Seventeen Republicans crossed the aisle to join every House Democrat in supporting the bill, which cleared the chamber 230 to 196.

The vote was framed by many as a breakthrough, a moment of bipartisanship on healthcare a…