A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill, cited as the Healthy Communities Act of 2026, modifies the premium tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It removes the previous 400 percent household income limit to qualify for the tax credit and establishes a new sliding scale for applicable premium percentages. The legislation introduces special rules for individuals caught in the Medicaid coverage gap by treating their household income as 100 percent of the poverty line with a zero percent premium percentage. Furthermore, it restores and expands temporary FMAP increases for certain state Medicaid plans and codifies open enrollment dates under the Affordable Care Act to run from November 1 to January 15 starting in 2026. Lastly, the text adds anti-fraud guardrails by imposing civil and criminal penalties on agents and brokers who submit incorrect or fraudulent information on exchange applications.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Section 3 establishes a zero-percent premium rule for Medicaid coverage gap individuals to ensure access to affordable coverage.
- Scored +8
Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance?
Section 2 introduces a sliding scale with lower applicable premium percentages to reduce health insurance costs.
- Scored +8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Section 2 removes the 400 percent household income limit and Section 3 helps individuals in the Medicaid coverage gap access affordable coverage.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Tax Credit Eligibility: Section 2 of the bill removes the 400 percent income cap for the premium tax credit, which could make financial assistance available to more individuals and families purchasing health insurance.
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Help for the Medicaid Gap: Section 3 creates a special rule for Medicaid coverage gap individuals by treating their household income as 100 percent of the poverty line and setting their applicable premium percentage to 0 percent, ensuring very low-income individuals in non-expansion states can access affordable coverage.
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Consumer Protections and Anti-Fraud Measures: Section 7 establishes strict verification processes for agent- or broker-assisted enrollments, requires consent documentation, and mandates timely notices to consumers about any changes to their coverage, safeguarding everyday people from unauthorized plan switches.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Severe Penalties for False Filings: Section 7 imposes heavy civil fines ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, alongside potential imprisonment of up to 10 years, for agents and brokers who submit false or fraudulent information, which could severely disrupt the workforce or availability of intermediaries if not carefully managed.
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Delayed Commission Payments for Intermediaries: Section 7 requires that any commissions due to brokers or agents for new enrollments must be paid only after the enrollee resolves all eligibility inconsistencies, which could place a financial burden on agents who rely on timely compensation.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Section 3 establishes a zero-percent premium rule for Medicaid coverage gap individuals to ensure access to affordable coverage. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Removing the 400 percent income cap and updating the sliding scale lowers insurance costs for middle-income households. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Removing the upper income limit on premium tax credits makes health insurance more affordable for middle-aged individuals. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Expanded healthcare affordability measures support individuals with disabilities who require ongoing medical coverage. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Special Medicaid coverage gap rules provide vital healthcare access options for residents in non-expansion rural states. Would women be better off under this? — Lower health insurance premiums and expanded tax credits improve healthcare affordability for women. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Expanding premium tax credits and lowering insurance costs benefits young adults purchasing coverage through the exchanges. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Expanding access to subsidized health insurance and Medicaid helps narrow healthcare disparities for minority communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increased premium tax credit availability and Medicaid gap support benefit Hispanic Americans who face coverage disparities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Broader healthcare affordability provisions support overall demographic health and financial stability.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Section 2 removes the 400 percent household income limit and Section 3 helps individuals in the Medicaid coverage gap access affordable coverage. Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance? — Section 2 introduces a sliding scale with lower applicable premium percentages to reduce health insurance costs. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — Section 2 removes the 400 percent income cap for premium tax credits and codifies ACA open enrollment dates. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — Section 4 restores and expands temporary FMAP increases for certain state Medicaid plans.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Section 7 establishes strict verification processes and consumer notices to protect individuals from unauthorized plan switches.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Section 7 requires clear notification of premium tax credit values to individuals prior to plan enrollment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing zero-percent premium health coverage options helps low-income individuals access essential care and reduces financial burdens.
- 10/5/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.