The spending package approved this week keeps the federal government funded, but it does not address the expiration of key Affordable Care Act health care subsidies—an issue that lawmakers say was the primary driver of last year’s record 43-day government shutdown.Those subsidies, known as the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs), helped lower monthly premiums for many families.With the credits now lapsed, several Northern and Central California Democrats say constituents are already seeing higher costs—and they’re urging the Senate to act.Rep. Ami Bera (D–Rancho Cordova) pointed to recent House action to extend the subsidies. His office said Bera backed a discharge petition that would extend ACA subsidies for three years and “urges Senate Republicans to take up this vote and deliver much-needed relief for Sacramento County families.”Rep. Mike Thompson (D–Woodland) said he supported extending the credits because “we need to lower health care costs,” noting Democrats pushed for months and ultimately gained support from 17 House Republicans. Thompson warned that without the credits, “families are being forced to choose between junk plans that provide worse coverage at higher costs or no health insurance at all.””That’s unacceptable,” Thompson added. “The Senate must act immediately.”Rep. John Garamendi (D–Fairfield) stressed that the funding bill offered no fix. “The government funding bill that passed today did not have any extension of the ACA subsidies,” he said, adding that while leadership talks continue, “since Republicans control Congress they are likely not going to extend them.”Rep. Josh Harder (D–Stockton) criticized the broader budget process and said Congress is missing the moment. “I’m incredibly frustrated with the entire process,” Harder said. “ICE is out of control, families are losing their health care… Congress needs to get its act together and pass a legitimate budget that actually helps our families.”Rep. Doris Matsui (D–Sacramento) said the lapse is already hitting families hard. “Across Sacramento and the country, people are seeing their premiums skyrocket, sometimes by hundreds of dollars a month.” She argued, “this outcome was not inevitable,” and said, “This spending package does nothing to fix the damage.”As Democrats push to restore the EPTCs, President Donald Trump is promoting what he calls the “Great Healthcare Plan,” centered on sending money “directly to the American people,” aggressive prescription-drug price reductions through a “most-favored-nations” approach, and expanded price transparency requirements. Trump has argued, “The government is going to pay the money directly to you,” and says the goal is to lower premiums and drug costs while putting “patients over” industry profits.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
The spending package approved this week keeps the federal government funded, but it does not address the expiration of key Affordable Care Act health care subsidies—an issue that lawmakers say was the primary driver of last year’s record 43-day government shutdown.
Those subsidies, known as the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs), helped lower monthly premiums for many families.
With the credits now lapsed, several Northern and Central California Democrats say constituents are already seeing higher costs—and they’re urging the Senate to act.
Rep. Ami Bera (D–Rancho Cordova) pointed to recent House action to extend the subsidies. His office said Bera backed a discharge petition that would extend ACA subsidies for three years and “urges Senate Republicans to take up this vote and deliver much-needed relief for Sacramento County families.”
Rep. Mike Thompson (D–Woodland) said he supported extending the credits because “we need to lower health care costs,” noting Democrats pushed for months and ultimately gained support from 17 House Republicans. Thompson warned that without the credits, “families are being forced to choose between junk plans that provide worse coverage at higher costs or no health insurance at all.”
“That’s unacceptable,” Thompson added. “The Senate must act immediately.”
Rep. John Garamendi (D–Fairfield) stressed that the funding bill offered no fix. “The government funding bill that passed today did not have any extension of the ACA subsidies,” he said, adding that while leadership talks continue, “since Republicans control Congress they are likely not going to extend them.”
Rep. Josh Harder (D–Stockton) criticized the broader budget process and said Congress is missing the moment. “I’m incredibly frustrated with the entire process,” Harder said. “ICE is out of control, families are losing their health care… Congress needs to get its act together and pass a legitimate budget that actually helps our families.”
Rep. Doris Matsui (D–Sacramento) said the lapse is already hitting families hard. “Across Sacramento and the country, people are seeing their premiums skyrocket, sometimes by hundreds of dollars a month.” She argued, “this outcome was not inevitable,” and said, “This spending package does nothing to fix the damage.”
As Democrats push to restore the EPTCs, President Donald Trump is promoting what he calls the “Great Healthcare Plan,” centered on sending money “directly to the American people,” aggressive prescription-drug price reductions through a “most-favored-nations” approach, and expanded price transparency requirements. Trump has argued, “The government is going to pay the money directly to you,” and says the goal is to lower premiums and drug costs while putting “patients over” industry profits.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel