summary
Introduced
01/24/2017
01/24/2017
In Committee
01/24/2017
01/24/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Obamacare Replacement Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Social Security Act to repeal certain provisions regarding health insurance, including: the requirement for individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage, limitations on insurers varying premiums by age or health status, requirements for health insurance to cover preexisting conditions and the essential health benefits, and the prohibition on lifetime or annual limits on benefits. The bill allows a refundable tax credit for a percentage of health insurance premiums and a tax credit for health savings account (HSA) contributions. The bill eliminates HSA contribution limits and allows all individuals to make contributions to HSAs. HSAs may be used to pay for over-the-counter medications and health insurance in addition to currently allowed medical expenses. The tax deduction for medical care is expanded to include exercise equipment, exercise or health instruction, gym memberships, nutritional supplements, and periodic, pre-paid, or capitated primary care fees. Physicians may deduct uncompensated and charity care. The bill provides for the establishment and governance of: (1) independent health pools, which are entities that form risk pools to offer health insurance coverage to their members; and (2) association health plans, which are group health plans sponsored by business associations. Individual health insurance coverage is governed by the laws of a state designated by the health insurance issuer. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must (currently, may) waive Medicaid requirements to enable states to carry out experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects. The bill exempts health care professionals from federal and state antitrust laws in connection with negotiations with a health plan to provide health care items or services. Stop-loss insurance obtained by certain health plans or plan sponsors is exempt from requirements for health insurance.
AI Summary
This bill:
- Repeals the individual and employer mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Repeals several provisions of the Public Health Service Act related to guaranteed issue, community rating, and essential health benefits.
- Allows a tax deduction for health insurance premiums and a refundable tax credit for payroll taxes attributable to health insurance premiums.
- Repeals contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and allows HSAs to be used for over-the-counter medications and insurance premiums.
- Expands the definition of qualified medical expenses for tax purposes to include certain exercise equipment, nutritional supplements, and provider fees.
- Creates "independent health pools" to allow for the expansion of individual health insurance coverage, preempting certain state laws.
- Establishes rules for "association health plans" that allow small employers to band together to offer group health insurance.
- Increases state flexibility to conduct Medicaid waivers.
- Exempts health care professionals from federal and state antitrust laws when negotiating with health plans.
- Excludes certain medical stop-loss insurance from the definition of health insurance coverage.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (on 01/24/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/222/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s222/BILLS-115s222is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s222/BILLS-115s222is.pdf.pdf |
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