Why Congress is running out of time for an ObamaCare deal

The Hill – Sunday, October 5, 2025
By Joseph Choi

Republicans in Congress have refused to negotiate an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits as part of talks to end the shutdown, arguing there is plenty of time to negotiate over ObamaCare once the government is funded.

“That is an issue for the end of the year. Dec. 31 is when that expires,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a briefing Friday. “So, Congress has three months to negotiate that. Certainly, we could work on it in the month of October to find some consensus to figure that out.”

But if Congress doesn’t act on ObamaCare, many Americans will start feeling the pinch within a few weeks.

Premiums are being decided now, and open enrollment for the ACA marketplace is less than a month away in most states, scheduled to begin Nov. 1. Premiums could more than double if insurers believe the tax credits will be allowed to expire.

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