The Affordable Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act, or Affordable CHOICE Act, proposes to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by establishing a new public health insurance option. This option, to be implemented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, would be available through the existing ACA Exchanges starting January 1, 2027. Its primary goal is to offer affordable, high-quality health coverage , increasing consumer choice and fostering competition within the health insurance market. The public health insurance option would be exclusively administered by the Secretary and must comply with most ACA requirements applicable to private health plans, including benefit levels, networks, and consumer protections, ensuring a level playing field . It is mandated to offer bronze, silver, and gold plans, with the Secretary authorized to contract for administrative functions without transferring insurance risk. Financially, the Secretary would establish geographically adjusted premium rates designed to be self-sustaining, covering both health benefits and administrative costs. A key provision for cost control involves provider reimbursement: the Secretary will negotiate rates with healthcare providers , defaulting to Medicare fee-for-service rates if no agreement is reached. Similar negotiation and default mechanisms apply to prescription drug payments. The bill authorizes start-up funding for the public health insurance option, which is to be repaid to the Treasury over ten years. Healthcare providers participating in Medicare or Medicaid would automatically be included in the public option's network unless they opt out, ensuring broad access and allowing states to establish advisory councils for operational recommendations.