Illinois congressman hails health care win, experts question Senate path, costs

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a bipartisan House vote extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, framing the legislation as a victory for families facing rising health care costs.

U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, posted a video to social media as he walked off the House floor.

“We just successfully passed bipartisan legislation to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing,” said Sorensen.

The measure extends expanded ACA premium tax credits first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which lower out-of-pocket insurance costs for enrollees. According to the Congressional Budget Office, however, extending those subsidies comes with a significant price tag.

The CBO estimates the policy would cost taxpayers roughly $30 billion per year, a figure not mentioned in Sorensen’s remarks.

Sorensen pointed to past budget standoffs as evidence tha...