To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the enhanced premium tax credit, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 6010 aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the enhanced premium tax credit for 2026 and 2027. It also seeks to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage and reduce fraudulent enrollment in qualified health plans. The bill addresses issues related to healthcare access, affordability, and fraud prevention.
Expected Effects
The bill would extend enhanced premium tax credits, potentially lowering healthcare costs for some individuals. It would also modify Medicare Advantage risk adjustment and implement measures to combat fraud in health plan enrollments. These changes could affect healthcare access, costs, and the integrity of health insurance programs.
Potential Benefits
- Extended premium tax credits could make healthcare more affordable for eligible individuals.
- Improved risk adjustment in Medicare Advantage may lead to more accurate payments to plans, potentially improving care quality.
- Measures to reduce fraudulent enrollment could save taxpayer money and protect consumers from scams.
- Increased oversight of agents and brokers could lead to more ethical practices and better consumer protection.
- Consumer protections related to enrollment verification could prevent unauthorized changes to coverage.
Potential Disadvantages
- The changes to Medicare Advantage risk adjustment could potentially destabilize the program or lead to unintended consequences.
- Increased penalties for agents and brokers could discourage participation in the health insurance marketplace.
- The verification process for enrollments could create administrative burdens and delays.
- The bill's reliance on regulatory action by the Secretary introduces uncertainty and potential for political influence.
- The limited duration of the premium tax credit extensions creates uncertainty for consumers and insurers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble). Congress has the 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, Clause 1). The bill's provisions related to healthcare and taxation fall under this purview. The specific regulations and enforcement mechanisms would need to be carefully crafted to avoid infringing on individual liberties or exceeding the scope of congressional authority.
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).