Republicans are pushing for a bipartisan health care package before the year ends, following major changes to healthcare programs in President Donald Trump’s recent legislation.
According to Politico, Several Republican lawmakers from key Senate and House committees are hoping to work with Democrats on drug pricing policies that both parties have previously supported.
However, Democrats are hesitant to cooperate after Republicans pushed through what they call ‘the ultimate act of political hypocrisy’, slashing billions from medical programs while now seeking cooperation on healthcare initiatives, particularly as Trump lies while the GOP protects their stocks while ripping healthcare from 17 million Americans.
Democrats demand expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies
A key point of contention is the Democrats’ demand to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. These credits have helped millions of middle and upper-income Americans afford health insurance.
House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith indicated that extending these tax credits would be difficult for many Republican members to accept. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a permanent extension would cost $383 billion, a price tag that has made House conservatives particularly resistant.
Yup. It's amazing what "health care" companies can get away with when they've bought the legislation (the ACA, aka Obamacare) that forces everyone to buy insurance and removes market competition.
— Democracy Dies With Democrats (@busybodysouth) July 21, 2025
The previous bipartisan health care package, which included reforms to pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs), was close to passing last December but failed when House GOP leaders removed health care provisions after criticism from Trump and Elon Musk about the broader funding bill.
Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, suggested that recent Republican actions have damaged the chances of reaching a deal, particularly after they approved $9 billion in funding cuts across federal programs, including global health initiatives, while a GOP slip of the tongue confirms ‘Medicaid cuts’ are coming soon, despite Trump’s denials.
The situation has created a complex negotiation landscape where Republicans want to address PBM reform and expand Medicare coverage for weight loss drugs, while Democrats insist on protecting ACA subsidies. Without these subsidies, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation warns that healthcare premiums could increase significantly for low-income Americans, potentially leaving 3.8 million more people uninsured annually between 2026 and 2034.
