Congress failed to extend Obamacare subsidies. This Democrat says Trump can save them

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NPR

January 1, 2026 3:48 PM ET


Millions of Americans are facing higher health care premiums in the new year after Congress allowed Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire. But earlier this week, a bipartisan group of senators worked to strike a compromise that could resurrect the enhanced ACA premium tax credits — potentially blunting the blow of rising monthly payments for Obamacare enrollees.

"There's a number of Republican and Democratic senators who are seeing what a disaster this will be for families that they represent," Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said on Morning Edition Thursday. "That's the common ground here, and it's a doable thing."

Welch said he joined a bipartisan call Tuesday — first reported by Punchbowl News — in which a handful of senators charted out a possible health care compromise. "We could extend the credits for a couple of years, we could reform it," Welch said of the call. "You could put an income cap, you could have a copay, you could have penalties on insurers who commit fraud. You actually could introduce some cost saving reductions that have bipartisan support."

But according to Welch, this legislation is only doable with President Trump's blessing. "It would require that President Trump play a major role in this, because he has such influence over the Republican majority in the House and even in the Senate," Welch said.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/g-s1-104216/obamacare-subsidies-congress-peter-welch

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Link to tweet

Andrew Desiderio
@AndrewDesiderio
News: Bipartisan group of senators met by phone today to discuss health care negotiations, per source familiar. Call was convened by Sens. Moreno, Shaheen & Collins. These 3 have been driving the train as of late. They plan to convene IRL when Senate returns next week.

Other participants on today’s call:

Hassan
Cassidy
Welch
Rosen
Warnock
King
4:37 PM · Dec 30, 2025

[SunSeeker]

1. I'm not insured through the ACA, but my Blue Shield premium just went up 40% on January 1.

Last edited Fri Jan 2, 2026, 04:04 PM - Edit history (1)

Healthcare coverage in this country is so broken.

[wolfie001]

12. Hateful racist bigot republiCONS call that freedom nt

[SunSeeker]

20. Yup. Republicans broke our healthcare system, made it only guaranteed for the rich. nt

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. The whole of Congress didn't fail, REPUBLICANS FAILED.

Or another way to see it is REPUBLICANS SUCCEEDED in taking away your insurance (subsidies).

[markodochartaigh]

3. The Republicans fought the ACA tooth and nail, and

ever since it passed they have tried to destroy it. Only people who are delusional believe that this is a "both sides" problem. Unfortunately, a huge chunk of our population is delusional.

[bluestarone]

14. This needs to be SHOUTED every day. It's the REPUBLICANS!!!!

When congress resumes next week, and until November if needed. The REPUBLICANS, It;s the REPUBLICANS!! Never stop shouting this. That should be the Democratic RALLY CRY!!!

[Javaman]

4. the orange asshole won't. saving ACA would be, to him tantamount to admitting he's failure.

won't happen

[MadameButterfly]

9. his damaged brain is incapable of feeling empathy

I'm glad to see some earnest politicians trying, that's what they should do. I hope they understand that this is about showing the country what Trump and the Republicans are about because Trump's condition is incurable.

A lot of people will die or go broke and the country needs to understand why so we can fix it.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

5. I won't hold my breath............

[WestMichRad]

6. Project 2025's mission is to destroy social spending programs.

So don’t expect TSF to suddenly reverse course and support extension of ACA subsidies. This is exactly what they want.
Instead , we’ll probably get a barrage of propaganda that “it’s the fault of Democrats” that insurance rates are skyrocketing and ACA subsidies have ended.

[LymphocyteLover]

8. the communist Obamacare program was always doomed to fail (they will claim)

[LymphocyteLover]

7. So, it won't happen

[Icanthinkformyself]

10. Want to know why the ACA

has been a political football since it's passage? It was and is the system proposed by The Heritage Foundation. Republican negotiations were political theatre, they got everything they wanted and didn't vote for it. The intention has been to create chaos around the issue of healthcare and a money pipeline from our treasury to the insurance companies. Think of all of the advancement we would have made in medical science if just a fraction of the money dumped into the pockets of useless CEOs was used, instead, to pay for research and medicines.
When a politician, especially a Democrat, says 'we must fashion a 'uniquely American' program, policy or process, hold onto your wallets. It's code to the oligarchs that they have nothing to fear from what will be proposed. It will, in fact, make them richer as the taxes to pay for 'whatever' will be extracted from the bottom, not the top.

[wolfie001]

11. Yes. This makes perfect sense

Private equity has bought so many hospitals and practices. Money-grubbing assholes.

[mdbl]

13. We have two large hospitals

I avoid the private equity hospital.

[travelingthrulife]

15. 'You could have an income cap. You could have co-pays. You could have a penalty

for fraud.'

Do these idiots hear themselves? There already is an income cap. They already have to pay a fortune...let's add more co-pays! Oh, I have an idea! We could penalize fraud!

[Turbineguy]

16. Democrats rescue republicans

so their dimbulb voters will keep electing them.

[travelingthrulife]

17. They are playing right into Trump's hands. He will propose some band-aid,

like a 3 month extension and Trump will be hailed as the hero.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. Exactly!

This is all set up for Trump the saviour to come marching in, and DEMAND that congress, both parties, help the struggling Americans who are losing insurance. He'll say that parties were arguing with each other instead of doing the right thing.

Or....he'll just be too pig headed to see the political opportunity. And take the further hit in the polls.

[Bengus81]

19. Pffff..then Trump could have "saved" them at any time over the last few months

Get real,he wants that CASH in the Treasury coffers for more tax cuts for the rich and his ballroom.