Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act
Sponsored By: Senator Chris Van Hollen
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a tax‑driven path to automatically evaluate and, with consent, enroll households into zero‑net‑premium health plans using information from federal tax returns. It would build secure data links between Treasury, the health insurance Exchanges, and state agencies and set rules for default enrollment, privacy, and appeals.
Show full summary
- Families and households: Tax filers for years after Dec. 31, 2026 would be able to opt in on their return to have themselves and household members checked for insurance affordability programs and, unless they opt out or pick another plan, be default enrolled into zero net premium coverage during a special enrollment period.
- Low‑income people, children, and Medicaid/CHIP applicants: States could rely on SNAP or TANF findings in some cases and a “recent annual income” rule would let Jan–Apr applicants use prior calendar year modified adjusted gross income for eligibility. If Exchanges find Medicaid or CHIP eligibility the Exchange would forward info to the State for enrollment with standard opt‑out protections.
- Exchanges, States, and premium assistance: Exchanges would get limited IRS return data under updated disclosure rules to reduce paperwork. The Secretary would offer at least three verification and business‑rule options for States to use. The bill adds a Safe Harbor to stabilize advance premium tax credits and revises which taxable year counts for credit calculations. Funding authority and study and advisory committee provisions support implementation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Timing Rules for Premium Tax Credit
If enacted, the bill would change how the premium tax credit timing works by using an “applicable taxable year.” This would affect advance premium tax credit payments and reconciliations from Jan. 1, 2028 through Dec. 31, 2034. It could change when low- and lower-middle-income households get or have to repay credits.
Easy Enrollment at Tax Time
If enacted, taxpayers could choose on their tax return to have uninsured household members checked for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace help. The program must be in place by Jan. 1, 2028 and applies to returns for tax years starting after Dec. 31, 2026. If you file on time and consent, the Exchange would open a special enrollment and look for zero-net-premium plans. The Exchange could default-enroll eligible people who do not opt out. No one could be enrolled in coverage that charges a premium without the person's clear, affirmative consent.
Funding to Build Data Systems
If enacted, HHS would get whatever money is needed from Treasury to build and run the data exchange and processing systems for this program. HHS could transfer funds to Treasury, the IRS, State programs, Exchanges, and data providers under HHS rules. The funds would be appropriated from the Treasury and remain available until spent.
More Use of Wage and Hire Data
If enacted, Exchanges and insurance affordability programs could use new-hire, quarterly wage, unemployment, Medicare, State Medicaid, and IRS data to check eligibility faster. HHS would give each State at least three verification and business-rule options for how Exchanges determine Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. States could pick or customize an option, and HHS would pick one if a State does not choose. Programs must reimburse HHS for added costs and must give notice and appeal rights for eligibility changes.
Study and Advisory Committee
If enacted, Treasury and HHS would create an advisory committee of experts and stakeholders to advise on carrying out the program. HHS would study the Act's effects and must send recommendations and a final report to Congress by July 1, 2030.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Cosponsors
Angela Alsobrooks
MD • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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