GOP Support Slowly Grows For Obamacare Subsidy Extension

More Republicans are voicing support for an extension of tax credits for those who buy individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

A sampling of public statements and media reports from over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend shows Republican support slowly growing to extend the subsidies. That will be needed since Republicans have a narrow majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

The tax credits, or subsidies, make health insurance premiums more affordable for individuals. They were enhanced by the Biden administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress in 2021, allowing more Americans to buy coverage. The enhanced subsidies, which expire at the end of this year, helped enrollment in the ACA’s individual coverage, also known as Obamacare, eclipse a record 24 million Americans, boosting its popularity to all-time highs.

There remains talk in Washington about a potential two-year extension of Obamacare tax credits. California Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, for example, has been doing interviews touting the two-year extension as a compromise between Democrats who want the tax credits extended permanently and Republicans who want them to go away entirely.

forbes.com - Gop support slowly grows for obamacare subsidy extension