Lower Health Care Costs Act
Latest action (Dec 11, 2025) — on the to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 644. (CR S8654-8655)
What it does
Congressional Research Service, Dec 8, 2025This bill extends for three years, through 2028, temporary changes enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit.
Currently, eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To be eligible for the premium tax credit, 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 ARPA and IRA eliminated the maximum income limit, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit.
Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is (1) generally the plan premium (conditions apply), minus (2) the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage is a specific percentage that varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA lowered the applicable percentages and eliminated the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit.
The bill extends for three years, through 2028, the elimination of the 400% maximum income limit, the lower applicable percentages, and the elimination of the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.
Face Value
as placed on the calendarHow much of this bill its name accounts for.
- Every bill starts at100
- Nothing counted against it: one area of law, and short enough that length doesn't register.
Face Value measures reach, not honesty. A big bill can be accurately named, and a low score is not an accusation — it means the contents reach further than any short title could describe. Count it yourself ↗ How this is worked out
What Congress did
1 recordedOn the decisive vote
Senate · Dec 11, 2025
Whether to end debate so a final vote can happen. Needs 60 senators — this is the vote most bills die on.
Who lobbied on this
8 organizationsThese organizations told Congress, in their own quarterly disclosures, that they were lobbying on this bill.
- National Nurses Unitedwanted it passed
“…of 2025 S 2837 Support for Protect Americas Workforce Act S 2857 Endorsed the Protecting Free Vaccines Act S 2997 Endorsed the Right to Override Act S 3385 Support the Lower Health Care Costs Act Support for the Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act Support for the Tax on Wall Street Speculation Act…” filing ↗
- American Medical Associationno position stated
“…Act, all provisions S. 2882, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026, provisions relating to ACA premium tax credits S. 3385, Lower Health Care Costs Act, provisions related to the ACA and premium tax credits H.R. 6575, CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act,…” filing ↗
- Communications Workers of Americano position stated
“…coverage that does not comply with ACA essential benefits requirements in order to lower premium costs and claims expenses for employers and insurers S. 3385 The Lower Health Care Costs Act would extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits (subsidies) through 2028” filing ↗
- Federation of American Hospitalsno position stated
“Issues related to the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, including S.3385, Lower Health Care Costs…” filing ↗
- Highmark Inc.no position stated
“…Act - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand eligibility for the refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan. S. 3385 - Lower Health Care Costs Act - This bill extends for three years, through 2028, temporary changes enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of…” filing ↗
- Human Rights Campaignno position stated
“…S. 3327: D.C. Shield Law Repeal Act S. 3011: Prohibiting Abortion & Transgender Procedures on Exchanges Act S. 3385: Lower Health Care Costs Act H.R. 7420: Stop Gender Trafficking of Minors Act H.R.…” filing ↗
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc.no position stated
“…Bagenstos, resigned. (PN25-52) Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025 (S. 3386) Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 3385) Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703) Protect Childrens Innocence Act (H.R. 3492) Do No Harm in Medicaid Act (H.R.…” filing ↗
- Reproductive Freedom for Allno position stated
“…Extension of ACA enhanced premium tax credits, including S.3385, the Lower Health Care Costs…” filing ↗
Most filings say only that an organization lobbied on a bill, not which side it took — where that's the case we say so rather than guessing. Quotes are verbatim from the filing. How this is built.
Discussion
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