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Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4908)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 30, 2025

Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act

This bill makes permanent temporary provisions that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. This bill also repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Currently, eligible taxpayers may claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To qualify, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the maximum income limit is eliminated, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit.

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Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is partially based on the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the applicable percentages are lowered and the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation is eliminated, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit.

The bill permanently eliminates the 400% maximum income limit, lowers the applicable percentages, and eliminates the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.

Finally, the bill repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the OBBBA, including

certain Medicare and Medicare eligibility and verification requirements,

the reduced window for retroactive Medicaid coverage, and

premium tax credit verification requirements.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] · D–NY

Committees

  • Finance Committee
46 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4908)

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: May 14, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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