U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, DC on Monday, September 29, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
The Democratic National Committee will place ads on the home pages of newspapers in the hometowns of four Republican senators on Thursday, urging incumbents up for re-election next year to support a Democratic bill to expand health care subsidies.
The digital ads target Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Jon Husted of Ohio and John Cornyn of Texas on the day the Senate is expected to vote on a Democratic proposal to extend increased subsidies for insurance purchased on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Without the extension, premiums are expected to rise sharply next year.
“REPUBLICANS DOUBLE HEALTH COSTS,” reads a mockup of the ad provided to States Newsroom. “Tell Senator Collins we can’t afford their price increase.”
The ads, running in states with two Republican senators, also mention those who won’t be on the ballot next year: Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Ted Cruz of Texas.
“Today’s vote in the Senate to extend the ACA tax credits could mean the difference between life and death for many Americans,” DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a press release. “Over 20 million Americans will see their health care premiums skyrocket next year unless Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan stand with working families and vote to extend these life-saving credits.”
“Affordability” is on the ballot
Democrats have sought to make health care costs a major issue as both parties have predicted a focus on affordability issues in next year’s midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
Senate Democrats initiated a six-week government shutdown this year to force Republicans to negotiate expiring subsidies that Congress expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., promised a vote on a bill to regulate rising premiums in exchange for ending the shutdown.
The chamber will vote Thursday on a Democratic proposal that would extend the expanded ACA market tax credits for three years.
Senators will also vote on Thursday to legislation from Republicans Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mike Crapo of Idaho, which would provide up to $1,500 annually for people who buy either bronze or catastrophic health insurance plans on the ACA marketplace.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Wednesday That chamber would vote next week on an unspecified measure to deal with the expiring tax credits.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Republicans’ goal is to “provide money directly to people” to “buy their own health care.”
