Bill · S. 3385· Senate(119-S-3385)
Lower Health Care Costs Act
- Introduced
- 12/8/2025
- Last activity
- 12/11/2025 — Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 644. (CR S8654-8655)
- Sponsored by
- Charles Schumer
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Lower Health Care Costs Act," aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It seeks to extend the enhancement of the health care premium tax credit. Specifically, it extends the rules used to increase premium assistance amounts. It also extends the rule that allows the credit to be given to taxpayers with household incomes exceeding 400 percent of the poverty line. These extensions would move the end dates from 2025 to 2028 and change the deadline from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2029.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act?+6
The bill extends key enhancements to the premium tax credit that are central to the Affordable Care Act's functionality.
Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance?+5
By increasing premium assistance amounts, the bill helps lower the net cost of private insurance premiums for many households.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The extension of premium assistance and expanded credit access provides continued financial support for low-income households.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
None of them settled the bill — every vote so far has been about whether to keep going.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Premium Assistance: The bill extends the rules to increase premium assistance amounts through 2028 (Section 2(a)). This could help people afford their health care premiums for a longer period.
-
Expanded Credit Access: The bill extends the rule allowing the credit to be used by taxpayers whose household income exceeds 400 percent of the poverty line through 2028 (Section 2(b)). This provides continued financial assistance to those specific income groups.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Increases Affordable Care Act Support+6Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+5
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Middle Class Taxes+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
No amendments submitted yet for this bill.
- 12/11/2025
- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 644. (CR S8654-8655)
- 12/9/2025
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8567)
- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S8567)
- 12/8/2025
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Legislative Day December 4, 2025). (text: CR S8530-8531)
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.