This bill makes several changes to how health insurance works in America, with effects on different groups of people. First, it puts money directly into health savings accounts for working-age adults (18-64) who earn up to seven times the poverty level and choose bronze or catastrophic insurance plans through the health marketplace. These individuals would get $1,000 to $1,500 per year deposited into their accounts. Starting in 2027, the bill also helps people with silver plans earn discounts on their out-of-pocket costs if they earn up to 2.5 times the poverty level.

The bill also changes who can buy catastrophic health plans. Right now, only people under 30 or those with special exemptions can get these cheap, bare-bones plans. This bill opens them up to anyone, regardless of age. However, the bill makes significant restrictions on Medicaid and CHIP (the children's health program). It reduces federal funding to states that provide any health benefits to people who aren't legally qualified immigrants, and it makes coverage optional for people whose immigration status is still being checked—meaning states could deny them coverage while verification happens.

Finally, the bill prohibits health insurance plans sold through the marketplace from covering gender-transition medical procedures, and it blocks Medicaid and CHIP from paying for these procedures as well. This means people relying on these programs would not have coverage for these treatments.

Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025

Crapo, Mike

Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025This bill allows certain individuals with health savings accounts (HSAs) to receive federal payments. It also restricts payments under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) regarding certain noncitizens and restricts coverage of gender-transition procedures.Specifically, the bill provides funds for the Department of Health and Human Services to deposit payments into an individual’s HSA during 2026-2027 if the individual has a bronze or catastrophic plan through a health insurance exchange, is between the ages of 18 and 64, and has income up to 700% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Individuals may receive $1,000 or $1,500 annually, depending on age.&nbsp;The bill also provides funds, beginning in 2027, for&nbsp;cost-sharing reductions for certain individuals who have&nbsp;a silver plan and income up to 250% of the FPL.Beginning in 2027, the bill allows any individual to enroll in a catastrophic plan. Currently, these plans are limited to those under the age of 30 or who have certain exemptions.The bill also reduces the enhanced federal matching rate for the Medicaid expansion population in states that provide any health benefits for individuals who are not qualified aliens under federal law. The bill makes Medicaid and CHIP coverage of individuals while their status is being verified optional and conditions federal payment during this period on verification.&nbsp;Finally, the bill prohibits exchange plans from covering gender-transition procedures as an essential health benefit and prohibits federal payment under Medicaid and CHIP for these procedures.