Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act
Restores premium tax credit rules for lawfully present people and lets states raise the income limit for Basic Health Program coverage.
In two House committees since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
People who are lawfully present can face a coverage gap when their immigration status makes them ineligible for Medicaid. The measure would restore certain premium tax credit rules and create a special eligibility rule for some people in that gap. It would also let states raise the income limit for Basic Health Program coverage.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Undo changes to premium tax credit rules
The measure would repeal section 71301 of Public Law 119-21 and restore the affected laws to the wording they would have had if that section had never been enacted.
- Restore credits for certain lawfully present people
A lawfully present person with household income at or below 100% of the poverty line who is ineligible for Medicaid because of alien status would be treated as having income equal to 100% of the poverty line when determining eligibility for the premium tax credit. This rule would apply to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2025.
- Let states raise Basic Health Program limits
States could set the maximum household income for Basic Health Program eligibility at a level of at least 200% and no more than 250%. The change would apply to plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2027.
The bill addresses a coverage gap for some lawfully present people whose immigration status makes them ineligible for Medicaid. The practical stakes are whether they can qualify for premium tax credits and whether states can extend Basic Health Program eligibility to people with higher incomes.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Ocasio-Cortez with 18 original cosponsorsReferred to Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeesOCT 1, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE · WAYS & MEANS NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDReferred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s record: sponsored 13 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Yvette D. ClarkeD-NY-9ORIGINAL
- Adriano EspaillatD-NY-13ORIGINAL
- Laura GillenD-NY-4ORIGINAL
- Daniel S. GoldmanD-NY-10ORIGINAL
- Hakeem S. JeffriesD-NY-8ORIGINAL
- Timothy M. KennedyD-NY-26ORIGINAL
- George LatimerD-NY-16ORIGINAL
- John W. MannionD-NY-22ORIGINAL
- Gregory W. MeeksD-NY-5ORIGINAL
- Grace MengD-NY-6ORIGINAL
- Joseph D. MorelleD-NY-25ORIGINAL
- Jerrold NadlerD-NY-12ORIGINAL
Coverage at a glance
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