Congress Faces Year-End Health Care Deadlock as Premiums Set to Rise for Millions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the calendar nears the close of 2025, Congress finds itself mired in a familiar year-end struggle over health care legislation, with millions of Americans bracing for significant premium increases come January 1. Despite the urgency, lawmakers remain deeply divided, leaving no clear path to a solution before the holiday recess.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) unequivocally ruled out any health care action before the end of the year, stating on December 16 that “We’re not going to pass anything by the end of this week. But I do think there is a potential pathway in January if Democrats are willing to come to the table.” This stance effectively puts off any legislative relief until the new Congress convenes, even as premium spikes threaten to impact approximately 24 million Americans.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has introduced a bill aimed at allowing groups such as small businesses or trade coalitions to band together to purchase “association” health plans. This approach is designed to leverage collective buying power to reduce costs. Johnson expressed optimism, calling it “a great piece of legislation that everybody will unite around.” However, skepticism persists among some Republicans who doubt that this measure alone can prevent the impending premium increases.
Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.) voiced frustration with the current stalemate, emphasizing the need for more immediate and substantive fixes. “We need to do deeper fixes. This is throwing good money after bad,” Bacon said, referring to the existing subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Yet he acknowledged the political reality, noting, “We have constituents. They’re going to have their premiums go up. That doesn’t help them. That’s why I think we need a temporary extension.” Bacon’s comments underscore the tension within the Republican caucus between ideological opposition to subsidy extensions and the practical demands of constituent relief.
The debate over whether to extend subsidies, which currently help many Americans afford their insurance premiums, remains a key sticking point. Many conservatives oppose continuing these payments, arguing they perpetuate dependency and fiscal irresponsibility. However, analysts warn that allowing subsidies to lapse could lead to dramatic premium hikes, exacerbating the financial strain on millions.
The impasse highlights the broader challenges facing Congress as it grapples with health care policy amid a politically polarized environment. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives continue to debate competing visions for health care reform, with no consensus in sight.
As the new year approaches, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to find common ground. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have warned of the potential premium spikes, which could affect millions of Americans relying on marketplace insurance plans. Without timely intervention, these increases threaten to deepen the affordability crisis in health care.
For now, the health care debate remains stalled, leaving many to wonder whether Congress will break its pattern of last-minute gridlock or once again deliver a legislative outcome reminiscent of “Groundhog Day.” The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether bipartisan cooperation can emerge to address one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
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