Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act

This legislation aims to reverse specific health care policy changes and enhance the affordability of health insurance. It achieves this by repealing Subtitle B of Title VII of Public Law 119-21 , ensuring that any laws or regulations previously altered by that subtitle are applied as if those amendments had never been enacted. This action effectively restores prior health care provisions. A key component of the bill is the permanent extension of enhanced premium tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code, which are vital for reducing health insurance costs. It eliminates the previous 400 percent of the federal poverty line income cap for eligibility, thereby allowing a broader range of individuals to qualify for financial assistance. Furthermore, the bill revises the sliding scale for applicable percentages, adjusting the maximum percentage of income individuals are expected to pay for health insurance premiums across all income tiers, including those above 400 percent of the poverty line. These comprehensive adjustments are designed to significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for health coverage, with an effective date for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.