Conservative voters didn’t expect this.
In a surprising turn, a group of House Republicans is urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to address expiring Obamacare subsidies immediately after the government shutdown ends — a move that has conservatives across the country raising eyebrows.
Thirteen GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), are sending a letter to Johnson thanking him for his leadership during the shutdown, yet pressing him to make the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a top priority before year’s end.
Obamacare Returns to the Spotlight
Once again, Obamacare — a cornerstone of President Obama’s legacy — is dividing Washington. What began as a temporary pandemic-era measure has ballooned into a costly federal obligation. Democrats are pushing to make Biden’s expanded Obamacare subsidies permanent, even as healthcare prices soar and middle-class families struggle to keep up.
Under the Biden administration, Democrats used the Inflation Reduction Act to extend enhanced ACA tax credits through 2025 — a move critics say was nothing more than a massive taxpayer giveaway to insurance companies and blue-state bureaucrats.
Now, Democrats are using the shutdown as political leverage, hoping to force Republicans into another extension of the same failed policy.
A Divided GOP
Top Republicans in both the House and Senate say they’re open to discussions about the expiring healthcare subsidies — but they’ve drawn a line in the sand: no deals tied to funding the government.
Still, not all conservatives agree on the path forward. The 13 Republicans behind the letter insist that inaction could lead to real harm for working families — but also admit the system needs major reform.
“Millions of Americans are facing drastic premium increases due to reckless Democratic policymaking,” the lawmakers wrote. “While we didn’t create this crisis, we now have the responsibility and the opportunity to address it.”
They added, “Our Conference and President Trump have been clear: we will not take healthcare away from families who depend on it. This is our opportunity to show that commitment through conservative action.”
The Freedom Caucus Fights Back
Not everyone is convinced. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) blasted the idea of a quick vote to extend Obamacare funding.
“You want a clean vote on a $400 billion program with no debate? That’s insanity,” Harris told reporters. “If this is going to be fixed, it has to be negotiated — responsibly — with real reforms.”
Harris noted that the expanded Obamacare subsidies have driven premiums higher and increased government dependency, exactly what Democrats intended when they passed them.
Biden’s Healthcare Gamble
President Biden’s healthcare agenda continues to mirror Obama’s — bigger government, higher costs, and more control over private choices. Conservatives warn that the subsidy extensions are another step toward a socialized healthcare system that punishes taxpayers while rewarding insurers and federal agencies.
Republicans say the administration’s refusal to cut waste and reform healthcare markets has left seniors and working families paying the price.
What Happens Next
The House passed a short-term continuing resolution on September 19 to reopen parts of the government, but Senate Democrats have blocked it 11 times, deepening the standoff. Until a funding deal is reached, both the government and the Obamacare fight remain at a standstill.
As conservatives debate strategy, one thing is clear: Obamacare is back at the center of Washington’s chaos, and this time, some Republicans are standing closer to Obama than to Trump.
With inflation still hammering retirees and medical costs reaching record highs, Americans — especially seniors — are watching closely to see whether the GOP will hold the line on spending or compromise on a program that has already cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.