House Republicans are summoning top health insurance executives to testify on Capitol Hill this month as part of a broader effort to examine health care costs, a move that comes weeks after enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired Dec. 31.
The hearing announcement comes amid Democrat criticism that Republicans allowed the enhanced ACA subsidies to lapse — a decision they argue is burdening Americans who relied on the enhanced tax credits to help them afford Obamacare premiums. It also comes amid pressure from President Donald Trump, who urged House Republicans earlier this week to tackle health care affordability.
“Alarm bells have been ringing for health care affordability for months,” said House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee ranking member Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). “And with the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025, we knew that premiums would skyrocket in 2026.”
But House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) said the Jan. 22 health subcommittee meeting with insurer executives will be part of a series of hearings over the next few months focused on health care affordability.
“While some want to talk solely about a small subset of the population, I believe we have to take a broader look,” Guthrie said.
UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest insurer, told POLITICO it has received the invitation to the hearings and looks forward “to discussing health care costs as part of their series with hospitals, drug companies, and others,” spokesperson Robert Josephson said in a statement.
“Keeping health care affordable should be everyone’s top priority, and we will continue to partner with policymakers on solutions,” Josephson said.
Trump told House Republicans earlier this week that he plans to meet with 14 insurance companies in the coming days to pressure them to bring down prices.
“I am hopeful that we can have a productive discussion about what is truly driving increased healthcare costs and premiums for everyone,” Guthrie said. “From there, we need to look at the entire healthcare system, why prices and costs are going up.”
Kelly Hooper contributed to this report.
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