U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks with reporters at the Capitol building in Washington, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
The Democratic National Committee will run headline ads in a quartet of Republican senators’ hometowns on Thursday, urging incumbents up for re-election next year to support a Democratic bill to extend health care subsidies.
The digital ads are targeting Senators 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 through the Affordable Care Act platform.
Without an extension, premiums are expected to skyrocket next year.
“REPUBLICANS DOUBLE HEALTH CARE COSTS,” says one ad mockup provided to States Newsroom. “Tell Senator Collins we cannot afford to raise prices.”
Advertisements running in states featuring the two GOP senators also mention one who won’t be on the ballot next year: Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Bernie Moreno from Ohio and Ted Cruz from Texas.
“Today’s vote in the Senate to extend the ACA tax breaks could mean the difference between life and death for many Americans,” DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a press release. “More than 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 lifesaving credits.”
“Affordability” on the ballot
Democrats have sought to make health care costs a top issue as both parties anticipate focusing on affordability issues in next year’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Senate Democrats initiated a six-week government shutdown this year in an attempt to force Republicans to negotiate on expiring subsidies that Congress extended during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader John Thun, R-D., promised a vote on a bill to address rising premiums in exchange for ending the shutdown.
On Thursday, the House will vote on a Democratic proposal that would extend the ACA’s enhanced marketplace tax credits for three years.
Senators will also vote on Thursday on legislation from Republicans Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mike Crapo of Idaho, which would provide up to $1,500 a year to people who buy brown or catastrophic health insurance plans in the ACA marketplace.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Wednesday this house will vote next week on an unspecified measure to address expiring tax credits.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Republicans’ goal is to provide funding “directly to the people” to “buy their own health care.”
