Dem
47
GOP
53
Republicans sense that if nothing is done about health care and fast, premiums will spike and Democrats will wield that like a cudgel to pound Republicans with in the midterms. But the hardliners in their own party will not let them allow the ACA subsidies to be extended. The Senate failed to pass either the Democratic bill or the Republican bill last week. Now, House Republicans are trying.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his colleagues have concocted a bill called the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act." That is a lie right there. The "Rainbows and Unicorns Act" would have been more accurate—or shorter, at least. One of the key features is expanding Health Savings Accounts. These allow people to save for their own health care with some tax advantages. It also allows employers to get together to buy health insurance together for their employees, giving them more clout. There is also a provision that targets pharmacy benefit managers and is aimed at lowering drug costs. The bill also helps small businesses buy health insurance for employees.
This bill probably won't pass the House, but if it does Senate Democrats will kill it. The bill also does not extend the subsidies, so people using the ACA will see their payments spike and that will be bad news for the Republicans. Saying "we tried" is not likely to placate many people. (V)