Democrats Will Back Efforts to Extend ACA Benefits if They Get Green Light From Leadership

With partisan plans from both sides of aisle thus far failing to rescue healthcare, there are currently two bipartisan plans on the House Floor to extend the Obamacare subsidies. House Democrats say they are ready to support either of them – if they get the “green light” from their party’s leadership.

And yet, despite them closing done the government supposedly on this issue, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has declined to weigh in on either of the proposals, which would extend the subsidies for one or two years. Instead, he continues to press for an unpopular partisan plan to extend those benefits for three years. His strategy has been for Democrats to keep their powder dry and try to continue to make Republicans take the heat for both parties failing the American people.

But a growing number of rank-and-file Democrats say they expect that to change next week if it becomes clear that none of the partisan plans — Republican or Democratic — have the support to move to the Senate. In that case, they’re expecting Democratic leaders to rally around at least one of the bipartisan bills, which would open the floodgates of Democratic signatures on at least one of the petitions and force the legislation to the floor.

“We’ve got to do one or the other. … We need to make sure that something is done so the health care costs for these American citizens on the Affordable Care Act don’t go crazy,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.).

“That is such a critical bill,” he added, “I think people will line up to sign.”

Asked if the Democrats were simply waiting on the OK from Jeffries, Meeks didn’t pause a moment. 

“That’s exactly right,” he said. 

“We haven’t been given any guidance,” echoed Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.). “But my opinion would be — if nothing happens, if they can’t pass a vote — I think we’ll probably try to force a vote.”

Bipartisan lawmakers this week launched two discharge petitions designed to force votes to prevent the subsidies from lapsing. One of them, sponsored by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine), combines a two-year subsidy extension with a series of policy reforms, including new income eligibility limits, the elimination of no-premium plans and the promotion of health savings accounts.