The Senate on Thursday rejected two healthcare bills, one led by Democrats and the other by Republicans, almost certainly leading to the expiration of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at the start of the new year, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. The Democratic proposal to extend subsidies and the Republican-backed plan to expand health savings account alternatives both failed to cross the 60-vote threshold, with voting largely along party lines. Several senators privately admitted that these votes were more about political statements than truly pushing for bipartisan compromise. With the end of the year approaching, Congress has almost no time to reach an agreement before the subsidies expire. Although there are reports of two short-term, bipartisan-supported subsidy extension proposals in the House, the Republican leadership currently has no plan to bring the relevant bills to a vote before the recess, meaning the ACA subsidies are almost certain to be interrupted at the start of the new year.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851282105097225/
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