WASHINGTON — With no hope of preventing Obamacare health insurance premium costs from soaring in two weeks, Democrats and a few Republicans turned to ways to stop the increases when Congress returns in January.

But getting any such action next month, or as long as Republicans control Congress, appears difficult.

The Republican-led House Wednesday passed, 216-211, a GOP health care plan aimed at lowering costs in a variety of ways. The plan is likely to go nowhere in the Senate, where it would need Democratic support for consideration.

All California Republicans voted for the House plan. All voting California Democrats were opposed. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, did not vote.

It includes no extension of expiring subsidies for Obamacare policies. House Republican leaders would not allow a vote on whether to extend the subsidies. The aid used by 22 million people, including about 1.8 million in California, will end December 31.

That will mean an average premium increase of 97% for Californians who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, marketplace.

Republicans with uncertain prospects in November’s election tried mightily to stave off the increases and vowed Wednesday to keep trying. They’re pushing a three-month extension of the credits, but no vote is likely until at least next month.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, who has been pushing hard for the extensions, took the unusual step of criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the debate.

“I have been extremely critical of the House speaker for refusing to put any measure to extend these tax credits on the floor,” Kiley told colleagues. “I think that criticism right now is more well deserved than ever.” He also criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, for not seeking bipartisan support for a credit extension.

Kiley was backing the Republican health care bill, said it was a good plan, but added, “Let’s be realistic. It is extremely modest and has no chance of becoming law, because it was hastily thrown together without any bipartisan input, when bipartisan support is necessary to pass any measure like this.”

A new approach to extending credits

Four Republicans joined 214 Democrats to sign a petition demanding a vote on a three-year extension, giving the effort enough support to force a vote.

Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, who has been a top negotiator in trying to get a vote on an extension, said he supports the petition. He said a three-year extension “isn’t perfect, but it gives Congress the time necessary to work toward a more permanent solution.”

Once the petition got the required 218 signatures, House procedure dictates the petition cannot accept anymore. Valadao has supported legislation that would provide one- or two-year extensions to the program with some reforms.

The temporary fix “doesn’t solve the problem of affordability (but) we can’t allow them to expire without a plan in place.”

Kiley was not inclined to sign the petition for a three-year extension. The petition, he said, “is never going to become law. That’s all about messaging or trying to create an issue.” He has supported one- or two-year extensions with some reforms to the subsidy program.

A similar effort failed by nine votes to get the 60 needed for consideration in the Senate last week.

What’s different about 2026?

Congress is due to end its 2026 session Thursday or Friday, and return January 5.

What could change next year, though, to get the credits through a reluctant Republican House and Senate?

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., wasn’t specific.

“I think that’s a difficult challenge that we have to figure out how to overcome,” he told reporters.

He said that if Democrats are “willing to accept changes that actually would put more power and control and resources in the hands of the American people and less of that in the pockets of the insurance companies, I think there’s a path forward.”

A bitter debate

The debate over the Republican health care legislation Wednesday offered little hope there would be quick progress.

The GOP bill would make it easier for small businesses and employers to join together to create health insurance pools, allowing more risk sharing and presumably lowering policy costs. It would also provide federal aid to lower income people to help pay premiums.

Democrats weren’t buying it. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, called the GOP plan “this sham of a bill. They should be ashamed.”

“Americans are being hurt, and they have had enough,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena.

The Republican plan, countered Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, will “provide federal assistance to the people, not the insurance agencies, and give the private market more competition and transparency so people have more choice.”

Kiley was frustrated and angry. “This whole issue encapsulates what is wrong with this institution, where party leaders focus most of their time and energy on trying to blame problems on the other side rather than trying to solve those problems,” he said.

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