Arizona’s 6 Republicans vote no on health care subsidies bill that passed House

PHOENIX – All six of Arizona’s Republican congressmen voted against a bill to extend health care subsidies that passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support on Thursday.

Seventeen Republicans joined all Democrats in passing the bill by a 230-196 margin.

Arizona GOP Reps. Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, Elijah Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh and David Schweikert were on the no side. Biggs and Schweikert are running for governor this year, while the others area all seeking reelection.

The state’s three Democrats – Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Adelita Grijalva and Greg Stanton – voted yes.

“The last thing Arizonans need right now are higher prices. But as of Jan. 1, more than 400,000 Arizonans have watched their monthly health care premiums go through the roof,” Stanton said in a statement. “That’s why I joined every single House Democrat, and a few pragmatic Republicans, to pass a three-year extension of ACA health care tax credits to keep health care costs low for the American people.”

Arizona Republican explains no vote on health care bill

Ciscomani said he voted no because the subsidies for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act, which started during the COVID-19 pandemic, boosted insurance company profits at the expense of the American people.

“The tax credits were a temporary Band-Aid, not a sustainable solution,” he said Friday in a statement to KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Ciscomani said he’d support an extension that includes reforms to mitigate fraud and abuse of the program.

“In December, I and a majority of my colleagues in the House voted for legislation that represented a step in the right direction. We need to work on a solution that prevents rates from climbing, institutes reforms and protects the services for those in need. The bill we considered today (Thursday) didn’t accomplish any of that, and that is why I voted no.”

Stanton hopes Senate Republicans, Trump approve bill passed by House

The bill, which would restore expired tax credits for three years, now goes to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

“Now it’s time for Donald Trump and Senate Republicans to decide whether they’ll work across the aisle to address the health care affordability crisis — or turn their backs on millions of Americans struggling to stay covered,” Stanton said.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would increase the nation’s deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade. At the same time, it would increase the number of people with health insurance by 100,000 this year, 3 million in 2027, 4 million in 2028 and 1.1 million in 2029.

Thursday’s House vote signified growing political concern over Americans’ health care costs. A handful of Republicans forced the issue by signing a discharge petition to unlock debate on the bill, bypassing objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The subsidies expired at the end of the December despite Democrats’ efforts to save them as part of negotiations to end the government shutdown in November.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

House takes step toward extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, overpowering GOP leadershipRep. Juan Ciscomani breaks down bipartisan health care plan in face of possible ACA increaseState seeks sanctions against Tucson mobile home park owner over unsafe electrical systemSAFE Alert canceled after missing 41-year-old man last seen in Avondale found safeHarry & Izzy’s steakhouse announces opening state for Arizona debutWalmart buys 38 acres along growing West Valley distribution corridor