Washington, D.C., 12 December (H.S.): Millions of Americans are expected to face steep increases in health insurance premiums next year after the U.S. Senate failed to advance rival bills that would have extended Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies beyond December 31.

Both Democratic and Republican proposals collapsed in near party-line votes on Thursday, each falling short of the 60 votes required to proceed. The failure leaves in limbo a key pandemic-era measure that helped 24 million Americans afford coverage under the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare.

The subsidies, introduced in 2021 as part of Covid relief legislation, provided expanded tax credits to lower premiums. Their expiration is expected to more than double costs for millions of households. Opinion polls indicate overwhelming public support for an extension, with 74% of Americans favoring renewal.

Four Republicans—Senators Susan Collins, Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, and Dan Sullivan—joined Democrats in backing the three-year extension bill, but it failed 51–48. A competing Republican plan to create health savings accounts for middle-income earners was also rejected by a similar margin.

At the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged swift action to prevent what he called a “looming disaster,” warning that Republicans would bear political responsibility if costs surged. Senate Republicans countered that the federal subsidies masked “spiraling healthcare costs.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of “distorting the insurance market” with unsustainable Covid-era policies, while pledging that President Trump would unveil “creative solutions” to reduce costs — though no timeline was given.

As healthcare costs continue to weigh on American families, analysts say Thursday’s Senate impasse could turn the ACA subsidy debate into a defining issue of the 2026 midterm elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar