Health Care Improvement Act of 2021

1/11/2023, 1:46 PM

Health Care Improvement Act of 2021

This bill makes various changes to the health care marketplace, such as expanding premium assistance, encouraging states to expand Medicaid, and establishing a public health insurance option.

First, the bill expands the premium tax credit that provides assistance, based on household income, for the cost of insurance plans purchased through an exchange. The bill also provides funding for state reinsurance payments to health insurance issuers and funding for insurance-related costs for individuals enrolled in plans through individual marketplaces. It also rescinds certain rules and guidance related to short-term, limited duration plans and the state innovation waiver program.

Additionally, the bill begins the seven-year period of federal assistance for states expanding coverage under Medicaid when a state expands coverage and the bill reduces assistance to states that do not expand coverage.

Further, the bill establishes a public health insurance option that is available through individual marketplaces. Providers participating in Medicare or Medicaid also must participate in the public option.

The bill also makes changes with respect to payments for rural health providers and permits small group market plans to be offered across state lines.

The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with manufacturers for the prices of prescription drugs offered through Medicare.

Finally, the bill establishes guidelines for employers to provide information about available health coverage and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the employer notification process for the advance payment of premium tax credits.

Congress
117

Number
S - 352

Introduced on
2021-02-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/22/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Health Care Improvement Act of 2021

This bill makes various changes to the health care marketplace, such as expanding premium assistance, encouraging states to expand Medicaid, and establishing a public health insurance option.

First, the bill expands the premium tax credit that provides assistance, based on household income, for the cost of insurance plans purchased through an exchange. The bill also provides funding for state reinsurance payments to health insurance issuers and funding for insurance-related costs for individuals enrolled in plans through individual marketplaces. It also rescinds certain rules and guidance related to short-term, limited duration plans and the state innovation waiver program.

Additionally, the bill begins the seven-year period of federal assistance for states expanding coverage under Medicaid when a state expands coverage and the bill reduces assistance to states that do not expand coverage.

Further, the bill establishes a public health insurance option that is available through individual marketplaces. Providers participating in Medicare or Medicaid also must participate in the public option.

The bill also makes changes with respect to payments for rural health providers and permits small group market plans to be offered across state lines.

The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with manufacturers for the prices of prescription drugs offered through Medicare.

Finally, the bill establishes guidelines for employers to provide information about available health coverage and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the employer notification process for the advance payment of premium tax credits.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reduce health care costs and expand health care coverage to more Americans.

Policy Areas
Health

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures•
American Samoa•
Appropriations•
Cardiovascular and respiratory health•
Caribbean area•
Child health•
Congressional oversight•
Consumer affairs•
Department of the Treasury•
Economic performance and conditions•
Emergency medical services and trauma care•
Employee benefits and pensions•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Government trust funds•
Guam•
Health care costs and insurance•
Health care coverage and access•
Health information and medical records•
Health programs administration and funding•
Health promotion and preventive care•
Income tax credits•
Infectious and parasitic diseases•
Intergovernmental relations•
Medicaid•
Northern Mariana Islands•
Personnel records•
Poverty and welfare assistance•
Puerto Rico•
Right of privacy•
State and local finance•
State and local government operations•
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers•
Tax treatment of families•
Tax-exempt organizations•
U.S. territories and protectorates•
Unemployment•
User charges and fees•
Virgin Islands

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/1/2021

Health Care Improvement Act of 2021

This bill makes various changes to the health care marketplace, such as expanding premium assistance, encouraging states to expand Medicaid, and establishing a public health insurance ...


Latest Action2/22/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.