The recent approval in the House of Representatives of a three-year extension of Obamacare subsidies is news of enormous significance for millions of families in the United States.
Although the legislative process is not yet complete—Senate approval is still needed—the step taken by the House sends a clear political signal: healthcare remains a central and urgent issue on the national agenda.
The subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been a lifeline for workers, middle-class families, and low-income communities, but they expired in January as part of the mega tax package.
Thanks to these subsidies, monthly premiums are significantly reduced, which translates into greater financial stability and, above all, timely access to preventive medical care, treatments, and medications.
It is estimated that more than 20 million Americans received subsidies for their health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act in 2025. Without this support, many of these people will see a loss of coverage or a sharp increase in what they pay for their insurance.
People with lower incomes—less than $24,000 a year—did not pay monthly premiums thanks to the expanded subsidies. But now they will lose access to free insurance. A 27, 40, or 60-year-old would pay $66 a month, instead of $0, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A worker earning $35,000 will see their premium double or more, going from $86 to $218 per month for a typical plan. About 40% of those enrolled in the ACA marketplace are in this income range.
Therefore, for historically marginalized communities, including Latinos, independent contractors, and small business owners, the extension of the subsidies represents a concrete tool against inequality. Access to healthcare is no longer a privilege tied to formal employment and is becoming a right closer to the daily reality of millions of people who sustain the economy from vulnerable sectors.
However, the work is not finished. The Senate now faces the responsibility of turning this progress into law, even though President Donald Trump has threatened to veto it if it is passed.
Experts agree that blocking the extension would have immediate consequences: increased premiums, loss of coverage, and greater financial pressure on households already facing inflation and high living costs.
The decision made by the Senate and the White House will have real effects on the kitchen table, at the neighborhood pharmacy, and in the emergency room of the local hospital.
The House has already taken an important step. Now it is up to the Senate to demonstrate that the stability of the healthcare system and the well-being of millions of Americans are more important than partisan disputes.
