The Senate has voted against two (2) bills, one (1) proposed by Senate Democrats and one proposed by Senate Republicans, that would provide financial assistance in the event of the lapse of Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Both pieces of legislation would have provided subsidies for low-income beneficiaries of the ACA, since current subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025.
When that happens, premiums are expected to double, causing millions of Americans to drop their healthcare coverage. This will drive up the number of uninsured individuals living in the U.S., putting even more of a burden on the healthcare system as a whole. During the COVID-19 pandemic, financial assistance was provided under the ACA for low-income users that allowed them insurance without paying anything for coverage. These subsidies were a key cause of the government shutdown earlier this year, as Democrats urged the Senate to extend subsidies, while Republicans believed they were too expensive for the federal budget.
“As we approach the holidays, millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck face a disastrous choice: take on debt to afford skyrocketing premiums or risk going without coverage entirely,” Charlene MacDonald, Executive Vice president for Public Affairs at the Federation of American Hospitals, said in a prepared statement. “Congress cannot leave their constituents in this bind.”
Both proposed bills would have needed 60 votes to advance, and they both failed on a vote of 51-48, with lawmakers on both sides largely voting down party lines. Republican legislation, which was spearheaded by Senators Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., would have swapped out existing subsidies for funds directly sent to health savings accounts. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted against the legislation.
Democratic legislation would have expanded current financial assistance for another three (3) years. Four (4) Senate Republicans, including Susan Collins, R-Maine; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; voted in favor of the legislation.
REFERENCE: Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI); 12 DEC 2025; Claire Wallace