Speaker Refuses Moderates’ Pleas to Vote on Health Subsidies (1)

Speaker Mike Johnson will block a push by moderate House Republicans for a vote on renewing expiring Obamacare subsidies, quashing a last-ditch effort to head off a spike in insurance premiums for more than 20 million Americans.

The Republican speaker’s decision guarantees enhanced Affordable Care Act premium credits expire at the end of the year. Democrats have made clear the congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend the subsidies will figure prominently in a midterm congressional campaign focusing on the high cost of living.

House Speaker Mike Johnson

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

A band of swing-district moderates had pushed for a vote this week on adding an extension of ...