The U.S. House narrowly passed a Republican-backed health care package this week as internal GOP divisions intensified over the future of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The bill, supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, includes provisions aimed at expanding association health plans and increasing oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, steps supporters say could help reduce health care costs.

The vote comes as a bipartisan group of House lawmakers moves to force a separate vote in January on extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits that expire at the end of the year. Without action, analysts warn premiums could rise sharply in 2026.

For manufacturers and employers, the competing approaches underscore continued uncertainty in the health care landscape, complicating benefit planning, workforce retention and long-term cost management as policy debates remain unresolved heading into the new year. 12/18/2025