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Senate bill · S. 2556 (119th Congress)

Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act

U.S. Senate

Latest action Jul 30, 2025

Sponsor: Charles E. Schumer (U.S. Senator for New York, Democratic)

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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Jul 30, 2026. About our data

Summary

Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act This bill makes permanent temporary provisions that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. This bill also repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Currently, eligible taxpayers may claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To qualify, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the maximum income limit is eliminated, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit. Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is partially based on the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the applicable percentages are lowered and the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation is eliminated, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit. The bill permanently eliminates the 400% maximum income limit, lowers the applicable percentages, and eliminates the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages. Finally, the bill repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the OBBBA, including certain Medicare and Medicare eligibility and verification requirements, the reduced window for retroactive Medicaid coverage, and premium tax credit verification requirements.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Senate Committee on Finance · U.S. Senate

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Cosponsors

46

Cosponsors listed on Congress.gov, shown A to Z.

  • Democratic44
  • Other2

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

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Show the full list (46 names)

Related bills

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

  1. Jul 30, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in U.S. Senate

    U.S. Senate

  2. Jul 30, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4908)

  3. Jul 30, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4908)

  4. Jul 30, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4908)

Read the record