Sticker shock for Obamacare shoppers

As Congress spars over Affordable Care Act subsidies, a fear over premium hikes.

- BY JULIE APPLEBY

PATRICK SISON Associated Press

THE CLOCK is ticking for healthcare shoppers. Above, the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance site.

We've been here before: Congressional Democrats and Republicans are sparring over the future of the Affordable Care Act.

But this time there’s an extra complication. Although it’s the middle of open enrollment, lawmakers are still debating whether to extend the subsidies that have given consumers extra help paying their health insurance premiums in recent years.

The circumstances have led to deep consumer concerns about higher costs and fears of political fallout among some Republican lawmakers.

According to a KFF poll released in December, about half of current enrollees who are registered to vote said that if their overall healthcare expenses — copays, deductibles and premiums — increased by $1,000 next year, it would have a “major impact” on whether they vote in next year’s midterm elections or which party’s candidate they would support.

For those caught in the middle — including consumers and leaders of the 20 states, along with the District of Columbia, that run their own ACA marketplaces — the lack of action on Capitol Hill has led to uncertainty about what to do.

“Before I sign up, I will wait and see what happens,” said poll participant Daniela Perez, a 34-year-old education consultant in Chicago who says her current plan will increase to $1,200 a month from about $180 this year without an extension of the tax credits. “I'm not super hopeful. Seems like everything is in gridlock.”

In Washington, as part of the deal to end the recent government shutdown, a Senate vote was held Thursday on a proposal to extend the subsidies. Another option, which was advanced by Republicans and included funding health savings accounts, was also considered. Neither reached the 60-vote mark necessary for passage.