Legislation1w ago
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To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
HR7023119th CongressWALLET
Affordable CHOICE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a new federal public health insurance option that the Secretary would sell directly through the ACA Exchanges to offer lower-cost bronze, silver, and gold plans while following existing Exchange benefits and consumer protections. Its main goals are more affordable choice, stronger competition, and nationwide plan stability.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New public health plan on Exchanges
If enacted, the bill would create a federal public health insurance option offered on the ACA Exchanges for plan years starting January 1, 2027. The Secretary would offer bronze, silver, and gold plans that count as qualified health plans and follow Exchange benefit and consumer protection rules. The Secretary would set geographically adjusted premiums that must cover benefits, admin costs, and a contingency margin and may only vary as allowed under ACA rating rules. The Secretary would collect data to set rates and to support quality and disparity reduction work.
Federal startup funding and contracting rules
If enacted, the bill would create a Treasury account for PHIO receipts and payments and apply a Social Security Act rule to those funds. It would authorize start‑up money and allow the government to cover 90 days of claims reserves based on projected enrollment, subject to appropriation. Start‑up funding would be repaid to the Treasury amortized over 10 years starting January 1, 2027. The Secretary would be able to hire contractors for PHIO administrative tasks but could not transfer the PHIO's insurance risk to contractors. States would be allowed to set advisory councils to give the Secretary recommendations on PHIO operations.
More providers in the public plan
The bill would require the Secretary to set conditions for which providers can join the PHIO network. Providers must be licensed or certified by the State. Providers that participate in Medicare or a State Medicaid plan would be treated as PHIO providers unless they opt out, and the Secretary would set a process for other providers to join. If you enroll in the public plan, this would likely increase the number of providers you can see.
Drug payments with Medicare fallback
The bill would require the Secretary to negotiate prescription drug payment rates for the PHIO. If no agreement is reached, drug payments would use Medicare‑equivalent rates, adjusted for drugs Medicare does not cover. If you enroll in PHIO, negotiated rates or the Medicare fallback would change the plan's drug costs and could affect what you pay.
Provider payments tied to Medicare rates
The bill would require the Secretary to try to negotiate PHIO provider payment rates by January 1, 2026. If no negotiated agreement is reached, the Secretary would pay providers at rates determined like original Medicare fee‑for‑service, with adjustments for services Medicare does not cover. If you enroll in the PHIO, this would change which providers you can see and could change costs for care.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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