Sen. Bernie Moreno Offers Final Plan To Restore ACA Subsidies
Moreno proposed reviving enhanced premium tax credits with a $5 minimum monthly payment and a 700% income cap, while negotiators dispute whether the extension would run one or two years.
Overview
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, told reporters on Wednesday that he presented a 'best and final' legislative offer to Senate Democrats to extend enhanced premium tax credits, proposing a $5 minimum monthly payment and a 700% income cap.
The enhanced premium tax credits expired on Jan. 1, 2026, prompting lawmakers to seek a federal fix as some states consider limited stopgap measures, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis.
Philip Letsou, Moreno's chief of staff, said in a statement that 'Senate Democrats have a choice' to 'come to the table' and accept measures including bans on public benefits for individuals not lawfully present, officials confirmed.
A copy of the draft legislation circulated to negotiators shows proposals to extend open enrollment to March 31, include cost-sharing reduction payments and expand Health Savings Account use after 2026, records show.
Negotiators said they expect to deliver formal text to Senate Democrats 'very shortly' and face a take-it-or-leave-it decision that could determine whether Congress revives the enhanced credits, two people familiar with the talks said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Moreno's proposal as a GOP-driven ultimatum by prioritizing Republican voices, emphasizing immigrant exclusions and fiscal safeguards, and omitting Democratic responses or independent analysis. The piece foregrounds GOP corrective rhetoric and policy details, creating a narrative that places the burden on Democrats to accept or reject a 'final' offer.