US healthcare subsidy headed to expiration as House Republicans block action

18/12/2025 6:29

An expanded U.S. federal healthcare subsidy that grew out of the pandemic looked all but certain to expire on December 31, as Republicans on Wednesday blocked a last-ditch effort by Democrats to maintain it.



By a vote of 204-203, the House voted to stop the last-minute move by Democrats, aided by four Republicans, to force quick votes on a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidy. Democrats loudly protested, accusing Republican leadership of gaveling an end to the vote prematurely while some members were still trying to vote.



"That's outrageous," Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts yelled at Republican leadership.



Some 24 million Americans who buy their health insurance through the ACA program, nicknamed Obamacare, could face sharply higher costs beginning on January 1 without action by Congress.