WASHINGTON – The Senate on Dec. 11 rejected advancing a bill to prevent health care premiums from spiking next year for millions of Obamacare enrollees.

The failed vote, scheduled by Republicans in November to persuade Democrats to end the longest-ever government shutdown, leaves lawmakers virtually no time before their holiday break to soften the approaching financial blow for many Americans. Federal subsidies relied on by millions of Americans on the Affordable Care Act exchange will expire come January, in many cases doubling and tripling their premiums.

"I say to my Republican colleagues, our bill is the last train to leave the station," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said ahead of the vote. "If Republicans don't climb aboard, there won't be another chance to act before premiums skyrocket next year."

Notably, four Republicans – including Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both of Alaska, as well as Susan Collins of Maine and Josh Hawley of Missouri – defected from their party to try to extend the subsidies. The final tally was 51 in support and 48 against, with Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, not voting. The measure needed 60 votes to advance.

"I'm open to an extension because I think the premium cost is real," Hawley told reporters the day before the vote.

It won't be easy for lawmakers to assuage concerns from their constituents about health care when they're home for the holidays, Collins told USA TODAY. That's why she supported both health care bills, with an eye toward proposing amendments to make the plans better.

"I'm hopeful that still might happen," she said.

Though the rejection of the Democrats' bill was expected, it stands out as a disappointing finale for many of them after months of fighting against a seemingly inevitable outcome. Extending the Obamacare subsidies was the Democrats' principal objection during the 43-day shutdown, and now there's almost no time left to address the cost increase.

Still, it's looking increasingly likely that Republicans in both the House of Representatives and Senate are hoping to consider bills in the next few months aimed at making health care more affordable for Americans. Democrats have already solidified the issue as a centerpiece of their 2026 midterm messaging strategy.

In addition to the failed Obamacare vote, lawmakers shot down proceeding with a separate GOP proposal on Dec. 11 that would've deposited $1,000 to $1,500 annually into health savings accounts, or HSAs, for eligible consumers. Though that proposal would've helped Americans struggling to afford health care, it wouldn't fully address the issue of the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which come in the form of tax credits.

"The enhanced premium tax credits we're debating today, if they were extended or not extended, are not going to change the fact that premiums are skyrocketing," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, one of the authors of the Republican legislation. "They're skyrocketing because of the failure of our current health care system."

That motion also failed mostly on party lines, with 51 in support and 48 against. Daines again didn't vote and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, voted no.

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Health care costs are set to rise for millions as Senate rejects bill

Reporting by Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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