Illinois congressman hails health care win, experts question Senate
path, costs
[January 13, 2026]
By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a bipartisan House
vote extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, framing the
legislation as a victory for families facing rising health care costs.
U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, posted a video to social media as he
walked off the House floor.
“We just successfully passed bipartisan legislation to prevent health
care costs from skyrocketing,” said Sorensen.
The measure extends expanded ACA premium tax credits first enacted
during the COVID-19 pandemic, which lower out-of-pocket insurance costs
for enrollees. According to the Congressional Budget Office, however,
extending those subsidies comes with a significant price tag.
The CBO estimates the policy would cost taxpayers roughly $30 billion
per year, a figure not mentioned in Sorensen’s remarks.
Sorensen pointed to past budget standoffs as evidence that the vote
marked a shift in Washington’s approach to health care policy.
“You remember the government shut down last year because House
Republicans refused to work with Democrats on a solution to lower health
insurance premiums for millions of Americans,” he said.
William McBride, chief economist at the Tax Foundation, told TCS higher
subsidies can actually push costs higher by increasing demand and
masking inefficiencies in ACA plans and exchange, costs that ultimately
fall on consumers.
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Despite the House vote, economists say the bill’s future remains
uncertain. McBride noted the subsidy extension could be bundled into
broader negotiations to avoid a government shutdown at the end of
January. Even then, he said, it is unclear whether the measure could
win the 60 votes needed in the Senate, where concerns over the
long-term taxpayer cost of the subsidies remain a significant
hurdle.
Senator Bernie Moreno, R-OH, told reporters the House's work product
is dead on arrival.
“What the House is going to pass tomorrow will not pass in the
United States Senate. It probably wouldn’t be put on the floor,
because why waste floor time on something we’ve already considered?”
said Moreno in a gaggle.
“After weeks of speaking out against Republican plans to kick people
off of their health insurance, we won to deliver affordable health
care for families across the country,” Sorensen said following
passage of the bill.
Sorensen pointed to the House vote as evidence that sustained public
engagement can influence policy outcomes.
“What this vote today demonstrates is that your voice matters,” he
said, urging constituents to continue contacting their elected
officials.
The legislation would extend enhanced ACA tax credits for three
years, at an estimated taxpayer cost of about $90 billion, based on
CBO projections cited by McBride. As lawmakers head into budget
talks later this month, questions remain over whether the Senate
will act on the measure, and how its cost would ultimately be
financed. |
