S.Amdt. 4447

The purpose of SA 4447 is to add a new title to the bill called "Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability." This amendment aims to increase consumer protections, hold health insurance issuers accountable, and stabilize the health insurance marketplace.

Key changes and additions include:

• Consumer Protections: It extends temporary enhanced premium credits and tax credits for households exceeding 400 percent of the poverty line to January 1, 2029. It also requires an additional open enrollment period for plan year 2026 and provides $100,000,000 for Federal exchanges to fund the Navigator program.

• Health Plan Accountability: The amendment requires insurance issuers to notify enrollees about premium assistance credit changes and the new open enrollment period. It establishes civil monetary penalties of $1,000 for issuers who fail to provide these notices or submit required compliance reports.

• Eliminating Red Tape: It allows for the automatic reenrollment of individuals from bronze level to silver level plans for years starting January 1, 2026. It also creates special enrollment periods for people denied advance payments pending verification.

• Market Stabilization: The amendment introduces a monthly special enrollment period for individuals with household incomes not expected to exceed 150 percent of the poverty line. It also sets limits on premium increases for taxpayers earning less than 400 percent of the poverty line to protect them from surprise bills.