GOP Feuding Over Healthcare

Republicans on Capitol Hill are sharpening their debate over how to respond to the nationwide spike in health-insurance premiums, a problem hitting older Americans especially hard as the country faces one of the most expensive health-care years on record.

The shutdown may be over, but the fight over soaring ObamaCare premium costs, federal subsidies, and long-term health-care reform is only heating up.

Democrats Push Permanent ObamaCare Subsidies Amid Rising Costs

Democratic lawmakers are quietly working behind the scenes to lock in the expanded subsidies that were originally passed as temporary COVID-era relief.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is leading the push to make these subsidies permanent through the Health Care Affordability Act, a move that would cement decades of government involvement in health care.

Senate aides say roughly 20 Democratic offices have reached out about cutting a deal before subsidies expire in January.

But Democrats need at least 13 Republicans to get anything through the Senate — and the GOP is nowhere near united.

Republicans Voice Strong Concerns About Extending ObamaCare Subsidies

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been one of the strongest critics of extending the enhanced subsidies. He argues that Democrats are trying to pump more federal dollars into a system that has driven premiums higher year after year.

“Democrats want to subsidize a broken system. We want to fix the root causes,” Johnson said.

Republicans warn that the Affordable Care Act doesn’t “afford” much at all — especially for seniors facing rising costs on fixed incomes.

Many conservative lawmakers say current subsidies simply mask the deeper failures of ObamaCare, which they argue has inflated premium prices, weakened competition, and funneled billions into major insurance companies.

Sen. Josh Hawley Warns of ‘Crisis-Level’ Premium Increases

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has become one of the few Republicans pushing for at least temporary action. He says nearly 500,000 Missourians — including many families and retirees — face double-digit increases if Congress doesn’t intervene.

“We can’t just let premium support expire,” Hawley said.
“Half a million people could see costs double. That’s not sustainable for working families or seniors.”

Hawley says he’s open to reforms, including income caps to ensure the wealthy aren’t benefiting and stronger measures to prevent waste and fraud.

His concerns are shared by GOP senators Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, and Ashley Moody, who have also raised the alarm about potential premium spikes in 2026.

Conservatives Say the ACA Is ‘Beyond Repair’

Not all Republicans agree with a short-term fix.

Some say extending subsidies only prolongs the life of what they view as a failing system:

• Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) compared extending subsidies to “painting over rotten wood.”
• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) pointed out premiums have risen over 150% since the ACA became law.
• Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) labeled the subsidy program a “massive fraud”, claiming Democrats want to hide the law’s failures with more taxpayer cash.

Republicans argue that the real beneficiaries of the ACA have been major insurance companies, not consumers.

A High-Stakes Six-Week Deadline for Congress

With subsidies expiring in just weeks, Senate negotiators face intense pressure to reach a deal.

Democrats say some Republicans are beginning to feel heat from constituents who cannot afford any more premium increases.

A senior Democratic aide said:

“Republicans are hearing from voters. People are worried. There is movement behind the scenes.”

But conservative leaders warn that any extension could spark a major fight in the House, where the Speaker faces a caucus deeply opposed to expanding ObamaCare.

Democrats Accuse Republicans of Blocking Relief

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the Finance Committee, argued Republicans have a long history of opposing the ACA. He noted:

• Republicans voted 70 times to repeal ObamaCare
• Republicans voted 15 times recently for spending bills that ignored the subsidy issue
• He voted against reopening the government because he believes GOP leaders won’t negotiate on extensions

Bennet says Republicans refuse to support even “small improvements” to help families afford insurance.

Bottom Line: America’s Health-Care Bill Is Coming Due

The fight over ObamaCare subsidies highlights a larger truth: Health-care costs are rising faster than many families — especially Americans over 50 — can keep up with.

Republicans appear united on one point: the system is broken.

But they are sharply divided on whether extending subsidies temporarily helps or simply delays the real reforms seniors and working families desperately need.

With premiums climbing and millions bracing for higher costs, Congress is heading straight for a showdown that will shape the future of American health care for years to come.