A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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 "Capping Costs for Consumers Act of 2026" aims to expand cost-sharing reductions for qualified health plans offered through an Exchange. For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, the bill shifts the focus from silver level coverage to the gold level of coverage. It adjusts the percentage of total allowed costs that the plan covers based on household income levels. These changes include expanding the income thresholds for certain coverage levels. Finally, it provides funding from the Treasury to support these payments.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill increases the plan's share of allowed costs for those with incomes between 150 and 400 percent of the poverty line.
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act?
The bill expands cost-sharing reductions and shifts the benchmark from silver to gold level plans under the ACA.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill increases the plan's share of total allowed costs for various income levels, making healthcare more affordable.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill appropriates necessary sums from the Treasury to fund expanded cost-sharing reductions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased coverage for specific income groups: For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, the plan's share of total allowed costs can increase to 85 percent for eligible insureds described in paragraph (2)(C)(ii) (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Expanded income thresholds for plan shares: For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, the bill increases the plan's share of total allowed costs to 87 percent for eligible insureds with household incomes more than 150 percent but not more than 300 percent of the poverty line (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
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Higher coverage for higher income levels: For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, the bill increases the plan's share of total allowed costs to 85 percent for eligible insureds with household incomes more than 300 percent but not more than 400 percent of the poverty line (Section 2(a)(3)(C)).
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Shift to gold level coverage: For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, the reference to the silver level of coverage is replaced with a reference to the gold level of coverage (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
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? — The bill increases the plan's share of allowed costs for those with incomes between 150 and 400 percent of the poverty line. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill expands coverage benefits for households earning up to 400 percent of the poverty line. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Expanded health coverage benefits assist residents in all areas including urban centers.
- Healthcare
- Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill expands cost-sharing reductions and shifts the benchmark from silver to gold level plans under the ACA. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill increases the plan's share of total allowed costs for various income levels, making healthcare more affordable.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill increases coverage percentages for households within specific poverty line thresholds to reduce medical cost burdens.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill appropriates necessary sums from the Treasury to fund expanded cost-sharing reductions.
- 1/20/2026
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois