Republicans may have run out of time on ACA tax credit changes

It may already be too late to implement certain changes Republicans are insisting on as a condition for renewing to Affordable Care Act subsidies, further casting doubt on any congressional deal to extend the financial aid. Why it matters: GOP lawmakers have made clear that they need to see changes to the enhanced ACA tax credits at the center of the government shutdown fight in order to extend them. But insurers, states and other experts say some changes could already be impossible for next year, with ACA enrollment due to begin in less than two weeks, on Nov. 1. The subsidies are due to expire at year's end, absent further action.What we're hearing: Extending the credits after Nov. 1 is still possible, experts say, but gets much harder if there are significant changes, such as capping eligibility at a certain income level or requiring recipients to make a minimum premium payment. What they're saying: "I have zero confidence that there's enough operational time for systems and issuers to be able to implement changes, significant changes," said Jeanne Lambrew, a former key health adviser in the Obama White House and later a top health official in Maine. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), one of the GOP senators more open to some form of subsidy extension, acknowledged that the implementation timeline poses a problem. "Good question, and that's why a lot of us started talking about it in July," Rounds told Axios, blaming Democrats for triggering the shutdown on Oct. 1. "When you have a shutdown that just kind of kills the discussions," he said. Between the lines: One possible workaround would be for Congress to extend the enhanced subsidies unchanged for one year and then have GOP changes take effect in 2027. It's not clear if that would pass muster in the House and Senate.Some insurers are warning about implementation challenges in trying to make major changes for 2026. "Our recommendation would be [a] straight extension for 2026 so that you can get the tax credits updated immediately and get people covered," said an insurance industry source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share private conversations. "Then, if Congress wants to make changes, those should apply in 2027 or later."Devon Trolley, executive director of Pennsylvania's ACA marketplace, said "at this point in the calendar, the lowest risk option is an extension of the same framework that the enhanced tax credits have today.""Some changes might be not possible to implement if they structure it in a very different, very complicated way in the near term," she said. "But other changes might be."An added complication is that there is no solution in sight for satisfying Republican demands that additional language be added preventing the subsidies from funding elective abortions. The bottom line: Congressional Democrats have been urging Republicans to enter negotiations, saying time is running short, while the GOP counters that Democrats need to open the government first. "We can't do any of that if we're not negotiating," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) when asked about the time frame for changes to the tax credits."We've always understood there's going to be a negotiation, but it's only Republicans that are boycotting those negotiations."

Comments

World news

Colombia's overseas mercenaries are skilled, busy - and controversial

National Post

‘HotGirlsForCuomo’ website leads to list of allegations against former governor after influencer failed to buy domain in time for launch

about 3 hours ago

What will happen to the stolen Louvre jewels? Here are two likely scenarios

Independent

The ‘Client List’, Mar-A-Lago, and celebrity parties: All the biggest Trump-Epstein revelations from Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir

about 8 hours ago

Ukraine hits Russian chemical plant with British Storm Shadow missiles

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Even Republicans are alarmed at Trump’s moves to pay the military as federal government shutdown becomes second longest in history

What Young Republicans say when they think no one’s listening

Family of Texas congressional aide who lit herself on fire speaks out after claims of an affair with Republican

North Carolina Republicans advance map to secure another seat in Congress

‘We have Darth Vader’: Trump introduces Star Wars villain as Republican hero in rambling ‘Rose Garden Club’ lunch

Trump’s nomination of Paul Ingrassia loses Republican support following racist text messages

Senate Republicans head to the White House in a show of unity as the shutdown enters its fourth week

Trump nominee accused of sending racist texts to other Republicans and claiming he has ‘Nazi streak’

Jeffries rejects Republican bill giving shutdown pay to troops, federal workers

The leaked Young Republican group chat points toward a bigger problem

MTG warns Republicans ‘will lose the House’ in midterms if they don’t help with rising everyday costs

Republicans show first noticeable crack on shutdown as it becomes longest in US history

Albanese arrives in US for Trump meeting as Republican congressman says Aukus ‘keeps Xi up at night’

Inside the Republican network behind big soda’s bid to pit Maga against Maha

Barabak: This Las Vegas Republican had high hopes for Trump. But a 'Trump slump' made life worse

Republicans mostly silent as millions of Americans protest Trump on No Kings day

Vermont Republican lawmaker resigns over racist and antisemitic group chat

Trump commutes prison sentence of former Republican lawmaker George Santos

Republicans use deepfake video of Chuck Schumer in new attack ad

Republicans double down after outrage over Senate GOP’s AI-generated deepfake of top Democrat Chuck Schumer

World news

Colombia's overseas mercenaries are skilled, busy - and controversial

B.C. crypto company lands record $176-million fine from FINTRAC

During cold and flu season, the youngest kids really are the germiest

Spotlight to move to Alberta legislature as teachers strike enters Day 12

The unlikely rise of a socialist, ‘anti-Israel’ radical in the race for mayor of New York

Nova Scotia government gives Whale Sanctuary Project approval to build coastal refuge

Ford government protests removal of Green party from legislative front benches

Why you're having a hard time getting a matcha latte around L.A.

Superyacht chef drowned after falling into water on night out drinking

Christian musician, who sang the national anthem for Trump at 2022 rally, is facing felony child pornography charges

‘HotGirlsForCuomo’ website leads to list of allegations against former governor after influencer failed to buy domain in time for launch

What will happen to the stolen Louvre jewels? Here are two likely scenarios

Gaza ceasefire not like monitoring a toddler, says JD Vance during Netanyahu meeting

Four reasons why Putin is delaying another meeting with Trump

Why Gen Z can’t stop watching bad takes

The 190,000 people who could face ‘national insurance’ hike – and why it’s a risk

‘Wealth gaps’ are ruining people’s chances of finding love

The US wants to talk to Andrew about Epstein – why he could risk another interview

Is the US heading for another civil war?

Police move into cell next to Nicolas Sarkozy after fellow inmates threaten to kill the jailed president

‘Why are you gay?’: Elon Musk’s homophobic slur escalates feud with Trump cabinet member

Sarkozy under extra police protection in prison after inmate threatens to kill him to ‘avenge Gaddafi’

Pop star turned militant on the run for 12 years appears in court after turning himself in

George Santos continues apology tour amid reports New York authorities may seek to throw him back in prison

Australia and New Zealand issue extreme fire danger warnings as heat records tumble

TikTok star Richard LA is hit by bullet during ICE operation in LA that also left US Marshal injured

Pinto Balsemão, ex-Portugal leader and media tycoon, dies at 88

Backlash as Greek government seeks to ban protests at iconic monument

Nato scrambles fighter jets after Russian night of hell kills two children

Why three little words from Jose Mourinho meant so much to Newcastle’s £100m man

Richard O’Brien: My wife and I like living in isolation

Why cash ISAs have beaten the best savings accounts for higher earners since 2020

DNC pays $1.6 million more for Kamala Harris' campaign debt

Americans are still buying things, bad economic vibes or not

Most Americans say U.S. on wrong track on economy, immigration and more: poll

OpenAI's metamorphosis from chat app to tech giant

Russia bombards Ukraine's energy plants after Trump-Putin summit shelved

Ukraine hits Russian chemical with British Storm Shadow missiles in ‘massive’ attack

At least 63 people killed in head-on bus crash in Uganda

Australian prime minister dismisses Trump’s remarks to ambassador as ‘banter’

Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time

Inflation stays at 3.8 per cent – what it means for your savings and mortgage

The Gaza peace deal is a sham – and now Trump’s colonial coalition is moving in

State pension confirmed to rise by up to £575 a year from April

63 people killed in crash involving two buses in Uganda

Uganda bus crash: At least 63 killed in massive collision as buses 'tried to overtake'

The ‘Client List’, Mar-A-Lago, and celebrity parties: All the biggest Trump-Epstein revelations from Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir

Ukraine hits Russian chemical plant with British Storm Shadow missiles

Driver arrested after vehicle slams into White House security gate

Lazarus does what Harlan Coben does best – mediocrity

At 29, I’m cutting back on friendship – it costs too much money

Is Van Dijk finished? This list of Premier League greats will give you a clue

Freed prisoners who pose threat could be ‘neutralised’ by Israel, says ex-spy

Rise in families facing fines for inheritance tax late payments over pension delays

The three ways Prince Andrew could be ejected from Royal Lodge

Chris Packham: I would be dead if it weren’t for my dogs

I walked the original Camino – it’s a challenge, but short and blissfully quiet