GOP stopgap funding bill doesn’t include ACA subsidy extension

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday introduced a bill to fund the government at current levels until Nov. 21. It would include extensions of several health programs, but not the enhanced tax credits that have significantly lowered premiums for Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance plans.

The bill sets up a game of chicken with Democrats over a government shutdown. Republicans need Democratic votes to pass the stopgap-funding bill, and Democrats want to use it for a host of health care measures. Government funding is set to run out at the end of the month.

Democrats have been vague about which exact health care measure, or measures, they need in return for their help passing the bill. They want to extend enhanced ACA premium subsidies, undo cuts to Medicaid in President Trump’s tax law, restore funding for medical research, and prevent the White House from reneging on that funding next year with rescissions.