'We have to keep the pressure up': Healthcare subsidy supporters cheer House vote, await potential compromise in Senate
By Josh James, Associated Press
January 9, 2026 at 12:14 PM EST
In a rebuke of Republican leadership, the House has passed legislation that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but the fate of the measure in the Senate remains murky.
Kentucky Congressman Morgan McGarvey, the state's lone Democrat on the hill, says now is the time for subsidy advocates to be in contact with their senators.
"We have to keep the pressure up that they take this vote to make healthcare more affordable for every single American," he said in a video post.
https://x.com/RepMcGarvey/status/2009420084066886063
Forcing the issue to a vote came about after a handful of Republicans joined Democrats to back a special maneuver unlocking debate, bypassing objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson. While the bill now goes to the Senate, pressure is building for a similar bipartisan compromise.
Together, the rare political coalitions are rushing to resolve the standoff over the enhanced tax credits that were put in place during the COVID-19 crisis but expired late last year after no agreement was reached during the government shutdown.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill, which would provide a three-year extension of the subsidy, would increase the nation’s deficit by nearly $81 billion over the decade.
Roughly 100,000 Kentuckians are directly affected, but critics say the premiums jumps will affect all insurance markets.
"We have to keep the pressure up that they take this vote to make healthcare more affordable for every single American," he said in a video post.
https://x.com/RepMcGarvey/status/2009420084066886063
Forcing the issue to a vote came about after a handful of Republicans joined Democrats to back a special maneuver unlocking debate, bypassing objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson. While the bill now goes to the Senate, pressure is building for a similar bipartisan compromise.
Together, the rare political coalitions are rushing to resolve the standoff over the enhanced tax credits that were put in place during the COVID-19 crisis but expired late last year after no agreement was reached during the government shutdown.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill, which would provide a three-year extension of the subsidy, would increase the nation’s deficit by nearly $81 billion over the decade.
Roughly 100,000 Kentuckians are directly affected, but critics say the premiums jumps will affect all insurance markets.