Legislation aimed at reducing health care insurance premiums, introduced by U.S. Representative Lauren A. Underwood (D-IL), is included as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act.
Underwood’s Healthcare Affordability Act (H.R. 1868) proposes an expansion of eligibility for premium tax credits to families with incomes above 400% of the poverty level ($104,800 for a family of four in 2020) and an increased tax credit for all income brackets. She introduced the bill in the House in March 2019. In June 2020, the House added the proposed legislation to a bill that would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 1425) to lower premiums in the individual health insurance market. That bill passed the House on June 29, 2020, and has moved to the Senate for consideration.
“In the face of a pandemic that could cause nearly 27 million Americans to lose their insurance, it is now more important than ever that we act boldly to reduce insurance premiums and bring affordable care within reach for every American,” Underwood said.