Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed fresh doubts about the feasibility of a bipartisan deal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, a crucial Democratic demand amid the ongoing 10-day government shutdown. Speaking during a rare joint call with House Freedom Caucus members, Johnson emphasized the need for extensive work to build consensus on any agreement, casting doubt on whether such a deal could even be reached. His remarks reflect a growing sentiment among House Republicans who oppose extending the subsidies, despite some GOP members showing interest in brokering a resolution. Johnson made it clear that he would not provide Democrats with any assurances that a deal could be made, stating that the negotiations are an ‘end-of-the-year policy decision,’ even though some of his own party members want to demonstrate progress before open enrollment for ACA plans begins on November 1.
Democrats have remained resolute in their insistence that a deal to extend the subsidies is a non-negotiable condition for ending the shutdown. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asserted that the Democrats have made it known to their Republican counterparts that the resolution must involve legislative action to address the health care crisis. Beyond subsidies, Johnson also raised the issue of potentially reclaiming previously approved congressional funds, which Democrats have also included as a demand for ending the shutdown. The Speaker described these rescission measures as part of broader Republican efforts to tackle the national debt, signaling a potential shift in the nature of the negotiations. Johnson also hinted at the possibility of a more comprehensive overhaul of the ACA, stating that lawmakers must work to reduce healthcare costs, improve accessibility, and enhance care quality, though he acknowledged the depth of challenges involved in such a reform.
Other prominent GOP members have echoed Johnson’s skepticism. Rep. Andy Harris, the Freedom Caucus chair, called for a more comprehensive health policy deal rather than simply extending the expiring tax credits. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, meanwhile, has criticized the ACA, suggesting a solution would involve expanding Health Savings Accounts and association health care plans—both of which were components of the failed ACA replacement plans attempted by the GOP in 2017. These divisions underscore the broader political and policy challenges in the negotiations, with both parties struggling to find common ground on healthcare reforms and the budgetary implications of the shutdown.