House votes to revive Obamacare funds as senators plot a scaled-back bill

The House passed a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits 230-196, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats, sending an $80 billion measure to the Senate; some Senate Republicans are instead negotiating a narrower, two-year compromise.

The House approved a bill Thursday to restore enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. The vote followed a successful discharge petition and came after 17 House Republicans joined every Democrat to force the floor vote. The credits had lapsed on Dec. 31, and lawmakers said the lapse would raise premiums for millions. The measure now moves to the Senate, where leaders have expressed resistance to a straight extension. Key developments: - The House passed the three-year extension 230-196, with 17 Republicans joining all Democrats to approve the bill. - The bill would restore premium tax credits for about 22 million people and is projected by the Congressional Budget Office to cost about $80 billion and insure roughly 4 million more people. - Senate Republican leaders called the House measure dead on arrival, while a bipartisan group of senators is working on a separate, scaled-back plan. - Proposals discussed by senators include a two-year extension, eligibility limits (reported as 700% of the poverty level), a minimum monthly premium (reported as $5 for some enrollees), options to redirect credits into health savings accounts, and language tied to abortion funding. - Senators briefed House members and said they aim to release a compromise bill next week before the Senate recess the week of Jan. 19, but lawmakers differ on the bill’s chances. Summary: The House vote increases pressure on the Senate to address the lapsed subsidies, but many Senate Republicans oppose a straight three-year extension. Negotiators in a bipartisan Senate group are pursuing a narrower two-year compromise and hope to release language next week, though the outcome remains uncertain.