Congress·In Committee·S. 2073

Senate Bill Would Let States Offer Medicaid Buy-In as Public Option for Uninsured Residents

State Public Option Act

9 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill allows states to create a new health insurance choice by letting residents buy into the Medicaid program. This 'public option' would provide an alternative to private insurance plans for people who do not currently have coverage.
People who join this plan would pay monthly premiums and other costs like deductibles. However, the bill limits total premiums to no more than 8.5% of a family's income to keep it affordable. Financial help, such as tax credits, would also be available to help lower-income families pay for the plan.
The insurance would cover a wide range of medical needs, including primary care, hospital visits, and reproductive health services. It specifically requires coverage for sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion services.
To ensure patients can find a doctor, the bill increases the amount Medicaid pays for primary care visits so it matches the higher rates paid by Medicare. This is intended to encourage more doctors to accept patients from this new plan.
If the bill becomes law, states could start offering this new insurance option as early as January 1, 2026. The federal government would pay for 90% of the administrative costs to help states set up and run the program.

HealthcareMedicare MedicaidTaxes

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jun 12, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Jun 12, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

5 articles

InsuranceNewsNet·almost 2 years ago

Schatz Introduced State Public Option Act Today to Build on ACA's Progress, Provide Quality, Affordable Insurance Through Medicaid

Senator Brian Schatz reintroduced the State Public Option Act to allow states to create a Medicaid buy-in program for all residents. The bill requires states to cover sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care, in all Medicaid buy-in plans to protect reproductive freedom.

New Mexico Political Report·8 months ago

Medicaid Explainer: Does Anyone Really Know How this Important Program Operates?

The article discusses the complexities of Medicaid and the push for a 'Medicaid Buy-In' plan in New Mexico. It notes that federal legislation like the State Public Option Act would provide the framework for states to offer Medicaid as a public option on the insurance marketplace.

CL~

West Virginia Public Broadcasting·about 3 years ago

Lawmakers Consider Affordable Medicaid Buy-in Program

West Virginia lawmakers are evaluating a state-level Medicaid buy-in program to help residents who earn too much for traditional Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. This mirrors federal efforts like the State Public Option Act to bridge the 'cliff effect' in health coverage.

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 3995Related bill

State Public Option Act

Jun 12 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.