Politics

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that he will not allow a vote to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the month, solidifying his party’s decision to let tens of millions of Americans face massive premium increases in the new year.

Speaking to reporters, Johnson acknowledged that some swing-district Republicans pushed him for a vote on the ACA subsidies as people across the country face sticker shock, with premiums more than doubling on average.

The ACA open enrollment period ended Monday for those with coverage starting start January 1, 2026.

“With no extension of enhanced tax credits, ACA enrollees are going to start the year with premium payments increasing by an average of 114%, or over $1,000 a year per person,” Larry Levitt, KFF’s executive vice president for health policy, noted Tuesday. “Some will find a way to pay it, some have switched to higher deductibles, and some have dropped coverage.”