The next wave of health care pressures has direct implications for employer-sponsored coverage. With Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) nearing the end of his tenure, expect a concentrated push on his remaining priorities. Here are the issues CHROs should have on their radar:
The ACA Subsidy Cliff
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Enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and it’s unclear if Congress will revive them. Without them, subsidized enrollees’ premiums are projected to increase from $888 to $1,904 on average. If ACA coverage becomes unaffordable, expect a higher demand for employer-sponsored benefits. Watch for renewed pressure this fall, possibly another discharge petition, following the House’s December 2025 vote to force action on a three-year extension.
Cassidy’s HSA Alternative
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Rather than extending existing subsidies, Cassidy has proposed directing federal dollars into HSAs for ACA enrollees. Democrats favor extending the existing credits, setting up another fight over how employer plans interact with individual-market coverage.
The MVP Agenda
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Cassidy’s “Money and Value for Patients” agenda focuses on price transparency, reducing PBM influence, and better access to healthy food. He wants employers to integrate MVP-style price-comparison tools into their benefits. Expect Cassidy to push hard on this before year-end.
340B Drug Pricing Program Reform
