Accountability for Better Care Act of 2025
Summary
The Accountability for Better Care Act of 2025 (S. 3391) proposes amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, primarily focusing on extending and modifying enhanced premium tax credits for healthcare. It extends the enhanced premium tax credits through 2027 and modifies the income thresholds for eligibility. The bill also includes provisions related to citizenship requirements for reduced cost-sharing and restrictions on abortion coverage in qualified health plans.
Expected Effects
The act aims to maintain affordable healthcare access for eligible individuals and families by extending premium tax credits. However, it introduces new restrictions on abortion coverage, potentially limiting healthcare options for some. The changes to citizenship requirements for cost-sharing reductions could also affect certain populations.
Potential Benefits
- Extends enhanced premium tax credits, ensuring continued affordability of healthcare for eligible individuals through 2027.
- Modifies income thresholds, potentially expanding eligibility for premium tax credits to higher-income individuals.
- Appropriates funds for cost-sharing reductions, helping to lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
- May lead to greater stability in the health insurance market by ensuring continued financial assistance for consumers.
- The minimum monthly payment clause ensures premium assistance is appropriate to the cost of the plan.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill restricts abortion coverage in qualified health plans, potentially limiting access to comprehensive healthcare for women.
- The citizenship requirements for reduced cost-sharing may disproportionately affect non-citizens.
- The changes could increase the overall cost of the Affordable Care Act, potentially impacting the federal budget.
- The modifications to premium tax credits may create complexity in the tax system.
- The bill does not address other systemic issues within the healthcare system, such as rising drug costs or provider shortages.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's provisions related to taxation and spending fall under the purview of Congress's power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States (Article I, Section 8). However, the restrictions on abortion coverage may raise concerns related to individual liberties and privacy, potentially implicating the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment may also be relevant regarding the citizenship requirements.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).