Healthy Communities Act of 2026
Expands health insurance premium tax credits, changes Medicaid support, and adds safeguards for Exchange enrollment.
In two House committees since Oct. 5, 2026, 3 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 5, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Health insurance marketplaces use rules about eligibility, enrollment, and financial help to shape what coverage people can get and afford. H.R. 10730 would expand premium tax credit eligibility, create a special credit rule for some people in the Medicaid coverage gap, and change temporary Medicaid matching support. It would also set Exchange enrollment dates and add consumer safeguards and penalties related to enrollment practices.
- 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.
- Expand premium tax credit eligibility
The bill would remove the 400%-of-poverty-line income limit for the premium tax credit. It would set the amount households are expected to pay on a sliding scale, from 0% of income for households up to 150% of the poverty line to 8.5% for households at 400% or more.
- Cover some Medicaid gap individuals
For a person whose state has not expanded Medicaid eligibility and whose household income is below the poverty line, the bill would treat the person as having income equal to 100% of the poverty line and set the applicable premium percentage at 0%. This rule would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
- Increase temporary Medicaid matching support
The bill would extend the period for a temporary increase in federal Medicaid matching support from 8 quarters to 24 quarters and change the figure in the law from 5 to 10. It would apply the changes to periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and revise which state plans qualify.
- Add exchange enrollment fraud safeguards
The bill would require new verification and consumer-notification steps for certain agent- or broker-assisted enrollments, and would set civil and criminal penalties for agents or brokers who provide incorrect or fraudulent information. It would also require checks for deceased enrollees, with a process to verify their status before an Exchange ends coverage.
- Set annual open enrollment dates
For calendar years beginning with 2026, the bill would set the Affordable Care Act Exchange open enrollment period from November 1 through the following January 15.
- Repeal specified reconciliation provisions
The bill would repeal sections 71107, 71112, 71119, and 71120 of Public Law 119-21 and direct that laws and regulations be applied as if those sections had not been enacted.
The bill addresses who can receive help paying premiums for Exchange coverage, including people whose income is above the current eligibility limit and some people who fall into a Medicaid coverage gap. It would also change federal support rules for certain state Medicaid plans.
Exchange enrollment safeguards could affect whether people are enrolled in or moved between plans, how they learn about premium tax credits, and how agents and brokers are overseen. The bill also changes specified health provisions enacted in Public Law 119-21.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 5, 2026HOUSEOCT 5, 2026By Rep. DavidsReferred to Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeesOCT 5, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE · WAYS & MEANS NOWOCT 5, 2026In committee for 3 daysNo hearing yet
- 3 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 52026OCT 5, 2026REFERREDReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 52026OCT 5, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 3, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
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