Bill Summary
This legislation proposes amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend temporary enhanced premium tax credits for health insurance and to prolong the open enrollment period for the year 2026.
1. **Extension of Premium Credits**: The bill modifies existing code to push back the expiration date of enhanced premium tax credits from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. This includes provisions that specifically benefit taxpayers whose household income exceeds 400% of the poverty line, thereby ensuring continued financial assistance for those purchasing health insurance through the exchanges.
2. **Open Enrollment Period**: The bill also extends the open enrollment period for health insurance plans for the year 2026, allowing individuals to enroll or make changes to their health coverage until January 15, 2026.
Overall, this legislation aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable by extending critical financial support and enrollment opportunities for consumers.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation described could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Health Insurance**: By extending the temporary enhanced premium credits until January 1, 2028, individuals and families with household incomes exceeding 400% of the poverty line may continue to receive financial assistance when purchasing health insurance through the exchanges. This could lead to increased access to affordable health coverage for many people who might otherwise have had to forgo insurance due to high premiums.
2. **Longer Enrollment Period**: The extension of the open enrollment period for plan year 2026 until January 15, 2026, allows more people the opportunity to sign up for health insurance. This could benefit those who might have missed the previous enrollment deadlines due to various reasons, such as changes in employment status or unforeseen life events, ensuring that more individuals have the chance to secure health coverage.
3. **Financial Stability for Families**: With the extended premium credits, families with higher incomes might experience a reduction in their overall healthcare costs. This financial relief can lead to more disposable income for other essential expenses, such as housing, education, or savings, ultimately contributing to improved financial stability and well-being for these households.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3102
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the temporary
enhanced premium credits, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 4, 2025
Mr. Welch introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the temporary
enhanced premium credits, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY ENHANCED PREMIUM CREDITS.
(a) In General.--Clause (iii) of section 36B(b)(3)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``January 1, 2026'' and inserting ``January
1, 2028'', and
(2) by striking ``2025'' in the heading and inserting
``2027''.
(b) Taxpayers Whose Household Income Exceeds 400 Percent of the
Poverty Line.--Section 36B(c)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``January 1, 2026'' and inserting ``January
1, 2028'', and
(2) by striking ``2025'' in the heading and inserting
``2027''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR PLAN YEAR 2026.
With respect to plan year 2026, the annual open enrollment period
required to be provided by the Exchanges under section 1311(c)(6) of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(6))
shall extend until January 15, 2026.
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