Sen. Moreno Presents Final Offer To Revive ACA Premium Credits
Moreno proposed reviving enhanced premium tax credits with a 700% income cap and $5 minimum premium payment in draft legislation.
Overview
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, presented what he called a "best and final" legislative offer to Senate Democrats to revive enhanced premium tax credits, according to a copy of the draft bill.
The enhanced premium tax credits expired Jan. 1, 2026 under a prior sunset, prompting renewed urgency to restore subsidies ahead of the marketplace open-enrollment period, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis.
Philip Letsou, Moreno's chief of staff, said Republicans will demand bans on public benefits for individuals not lawfully present and other fraud safeguards as part of any deal.
The draft bill would cap subsidies at 700% of the federal poverty level, require a $5 monthly minimum payment on subsidized plans, extend open enrollment to March 31, and expand Health Savings Account use after 2026, according to the text.
Two people familiar with the negotiations said some Senate Democrats had not yet seen or signed off on the bill and negotiators dispute whether the extension would be one year or two.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present Moreno's proposal as a pragmatic, Republican-driven 'final offer' and place responsibility on Democrats to accept it, privileging his quotes and legislative details while omitting Democratic responses or beneficiary voices. Editorial choices emphasize fraud, immigration limits, and administrative fixes; Moreno's quoted language and claims are source content, not editorial framing.
FAQ
The draft bill proposes a 700% income cap on subsidies (up to about $200,000 household income), a $5 monthly minimum premium payment, extension of open enrollment to March 31, and expanded Health Savings Account options after 2026.
The enhanced premium tax credits, expanded during the COVID era, expired on January 1, 2026, reverting to pre-2021 levels that only benefit those with incomes under 400% of the federal poverty level.
Negotiations have stalled as Sen. Moreno awaits affirmative statements from Democratic leadership; some Democrats have not seen or approved the bill, and there is disagreement on whether the extension is for one or two years.
More than 20 million Americans rely on the ACA subsidies to help pay health insurance premiums, with over 500,000 in Ohio alone.
Republicans demand bans on public benefits for individuals not lawfully present, fraud safeguards like $100,000 fines for unauthorized enrollments, and other reforms.
