Senate Democrats settle on three-year Obamacare subsidy bill

Senate Democrats will force a vote next week on a bill to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies for three years, rejecting bipartisan proposals and drawing criticism from Republicans that it is an unserious attempt to avert skyrocketing out-of-pocket premiums that take effect on Jan. 1.

The legislation, which is expected to receive a vote on Dec. 11 as part of a bipartisan deal last month to end the government shutdown, is likely to garner only Democratic support and fall well short of the 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass. But it will offer Democrats their latest healthcare messaging opportunity ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.