ACA enrollment ends today in most states, as tax credit compromise stalls in Congress

"As the window for Americans to enroll in an Affordable Care Act health plan closes in most states today, millions of Americans remain in limbo as Congress weighs whether to extend tax subsidies designed to lower the cost of Obamacare insurance. Congress has been locked in a showdown for months over the fate of the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, which expired on Dec. 31. The fight over the subsidies was central to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history,"

"The House approved a measure last week to extend the tax credits for three years after 17 Republicans joined Democrats in forcing a vote on the issue. Yet the extension faces an uphill climb in the Republican-controlled Senate, which previously rejected a separate plan to extend the credits for three years. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working on a compromise that includes a two-year extension of the ACA subsidies, but GOP senators said Thursday that progress has stalled."

"Separately, President Trump on Thursday announced a health care proposal that the White House said would "send money directly to the American people, lower health insurance premiums and cut kickbacks that raise insurance premiums." In the meantime, the clock is ticking for Americans to make decisions about their coverage. The deadline to sign up for health insurance through the ACA marketplace is Jan. 15 for most states. However, 10 states are offering an extended enrollment window to give residents extra time to select a plan."

Millions of Americans face uncertainty about Affordable Care Act coverage after the enhanced premium tax credits expired on Dec. 31 and Congress continues to debate extensions. The House passed a three-year extension measure after 17 Republicans joined Democrats, but the Republican-controlled Senate has resisted similar plans. A bipartisan group proposed a two-year compromise, but senators reported stalled progress. The White House announced a health care proposal claiming to send money directly to people, lower premiums and cut kickbacks. Most states have a Jan. 15 marketplace enrollment deadline, while ten states offer late-January extensions.

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