House to vote on ACA tax credit extension

Jan. 8 (UPI) — The U.S. House is set to vote on a plan to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits Thursday.

Nine Republicans broke from party leadership to join Democrats in forcing a vote on the House floor on Wednesday. Only four Republicans pushed for a floor vote last month when lawmakers tried to pass an extension before the end-of-year deadline.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., expects the extension to pass.

“Later on today, House Democrats, joined by some of our Republican colleagues in a bipartisan coalition, will advance legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits to prevent millions of everyday Americans from experiencing dramatically increased premiums, copays and deductibles,” Jeffries said Thursday in a news conference.

Affordable Care Act premium tax credits have greatly reduced the costs of healthcare coverage for more than 20 million people annually. The tax credits expired at the turn of the new year, setting the stage for premiums to double for millions of people.

Debate over how to address the expiration of premium tax credits was a key factor in the record 43-day government shutdown that ensued in October.

If an extension is passed in the House on Thursday it still faces a hurdle in the Senate, where the proposal was already shot down last month.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is among the Republicans who supported voting on an extension last month. He said House members have been working with members of the Senate on a proposal that could pass through with reforms.

“We’ve been working with senators for weeks,” Lawler said. “I think that’s ultimately where we can get.”