(Reuters) -Shares of U.S. health insurers jumped on Monday following a media report the White House was preparing to unveil a policy framework that would extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies – also known as Obamacare – for two years and add new eligibility limits.

Shares of Centene jumped about 7% and Molina Healthcare gained around 4%, while Elevance Health climbed more than 2% in early trading.

“I think this is a bit of a relief rally as the fate of ACA subsidies came under significant doubt after the government shutdown was resolved without an extension,” said James Harlow, senior vice president at Novare Capital Management.

A two-year extension would represent a status quo and “better than feared” scenario for health insurers, he said.

Millions of ACA enrollees face sharp p

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