S. 2073

111 S2073 IS: State Public Option Act
 U.S. Senate
 2025-06-12
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. 2073  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   June 12, 2025   Mr. Schatz  (for himself,  Mr. Luján ,  Mr. Merkley ,  Mrs. Shaheen ,  Mr. Blumenthal ,  Mr. Whitehouse ,  Ms. Klobuchar ,  Mr. Welch ,  Ms. Rosen ,  Ms. Smith ,  Mr. Murphy ,  Mr. Booker ,  Mr. Durbin , and  Mr. Heinrich ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Finance    A BILL
To establish a State public option through Medicaid to provide Americans with the choice of a high-quality, low-cost health insurance plan.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   State Public Option Act  .
2.
Medicaid buy-in option
(a)
In general
Section 1902 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)(10)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A)(ii)—
(i)
in subclause (XXII), by striking  ; or  and inserting a semicolon;
(ii)
in subclause (XXIII), by adding  or  at the end; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following new subclause:
(XXIV)
beginning January 1, 2026, who are residents of the State and are not concurrently enrolled in another health insurance coverage plan, subject, in the case of individuals described in subsection (uu) and notwithstanding section 1916 (except for subsection (k) of such section), to payment of premiums or other cost-sharing charges;
  ; and
(B)
in the matter following subparagraph (G), by inserting  or subparagraph (A)(ii)(XXIV)  after  described in subparagraph (A)(i)(VIII) ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(uu)
Previously undescribed individuals
Individuals described in this subsection are individuals who are—
(1)
described in subclause (XXIV) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii); and
(2)
are not described in any other subclause of such subsection or any other provision in this Act which provides for eligibility for medical assistance.
 .
(b)
Provision of at least minimum coverage
(1)
In general
Section 1902(k)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(k)(1) ) is amended by inserting  or an individual described in subclause (XXIV) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)  after  an individual described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)  each place it appears.
(2)
Conforming amendment
Section 1903(i)(26) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(i)(26) ) is amended by striking  individuals described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)  and inserting  individuals described in subsections (a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) or (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of section 1902 .
(c)
Federal financial participation in buy-In program
(1)
Enhanced match for administrative expenses
Section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(a) ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(B)
by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph:
(7)
an amount equal to 90 percent of the sums expended during such quarter which are attributable to reasonable administrative expenses related to the administration of a Medicaid buy-in program for individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of such a program); plus
 .
(2)
Treatment of premium and cost-sharing revenues from Medicaid buy-in program
(A)
In general
For purposes of section 1903(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(1) ), for any fiscal quarter during which a State collects premiums, cost-sharing, or similar charges under subsection (k) of section 1916 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o ) (as added by this Act), including any advance payments of premium tax credits under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or payments for cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of such Act that are received by the State, the total amount expended during such quarter as medical assistance for individuals who buy into Medicaid coverage under subclause (XXIV) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (as added by this Act) shall be reduced by the amount of such premiums or charges.
(B)
Treatment of excess premiums
Each State that collects premiums or similar charges under subsection (k) of section 1916 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o ) (as added by this Act) in a fiscal year shall pay to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary shall specify, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount, if any, by which—
(i)
the total amount of such premiums and charges collected by the State for such year; exceeds
(ii)
the total amount expended by the State during such year as medical assistance for individuals who buy into Medicaid coverage under subclause (XXIV) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of such Act (as added by this Act).
(d)
Cost-Sharing requirement
Section 1916 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(k)
Premiums and cost-Sharing for individuals participating in Medicaid buy-In program
(1)
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), with respect to individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of section 1902 and are described in subsection (uu) of such section, a State may—
(A)
impose premiums, deductibles, cost-sharing, or other similar charges that are determined on an actuarially sound basis; and
(B)
vary the premium rate imposed on an individual based only on the factors described in section 2701(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act and subject to the same limitations on the weight which may be given to such factors under such section.
(2)
Limitations
(A)
Premiums
The total amount of premiums imposed for a year under this subsection with respect to all individuals described in paragraph (1) in a family shall not exceed an amount equal to 8.5 percent of the family’s household income (as defined in  section 36B(d)(2)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for the year involved.
(B)
Other cost-sharing
(i)
In general
The cost-sharing limitations described in section 1302(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall apply to cost-sharing (as defined in such section) for medical assistance provided under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) in the same manner as such limitations apply to cost-sharing under qualified health plans under title I of such Act.
(ii)
Availability of cost-sharing reductions
Individuals provided medical assistance under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) and subject to cost-sharing under this subsection are eligible for cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (subject to the income eligibility threshold in subsection (b)(2) of such section), and in applying such section—
(I)
enrollment in a State plan under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) shall be treated as coverage under a qualified health plan in the silver level of coverage in the individual market offered through an Exchange established for or by the State under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and
(II)
the State agency administering such plan shall be treated as the issuer of such plan.
(3)
Premiums and cost-sharing for certain other individuals
If an individual is eligible for medical assistance under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of section 1902 and is not described in subsection (uu) of such section, a State—
(A)
shall not impose premiums and cost-sharing on the individual under this subsection; and
(B)
may impose premiums and cost-sharing on the individual to the extent allowed by another provision of this Act (other than section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV)) which provides for eligibility for medical assistance, but only if the individual is described in such other provision.
(4)
Application of premium assistance tax credits
An individual who is required to pay premiums under this subsection for a year for medical assistance shall be eligible for a premium assistance credit under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code to the same extent that such individual would be eligible for a premium assistance credit under such section if such individual had paid the same amount in premiums for coverage under a qualified health plan for such year.
 .
(e)
Managed care
Section 1932(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(a)(1)(A)(i) ) is amended by inserting  , including an individual who is eligible for such assistance after buying into such coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV),  after  the State plan under this title .
(f)
Offering buy-In program on State exchange; enrollment periods
(1)
In general
A State that has elected to allow individuals to buy into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of the Social Security Act (as added by this Act) shall allow individuals to enroll in such coverage through an Exchange established by or for the State under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
(2)
Enrollment periods
A State may limit the enrollment of individuals into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of the Social Security Act (as added by this Act) to the enrollment periods provided for under section 1311(c)(6) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
(g)
Application of advanced premium tax credits to Medicaid buy-In plans
(1)
In general
 Section 36B  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
(A)
in subsection (b)(3)(B), by adding at the end the following new sentence:
  If an applicable taxpayer resides in a rating area in which no silver plan is offered on the individual market but the taxpayer buys into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of the Social Security Act, such Medicaid coverage shall be deemed to be the applicable second lowest cost silver plan with respect to such taxpayer.  ; and
(B)
by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(C)
by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:
(h)
Application to individuals purchasing Medicaid coverage
In the case of any individual who buys into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV) of the Social Security Act, this section shall be applied with the following modifications:
(1)
The amount determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be increased by the amount of the monthly premiums paid for such coverage.
(2)
Subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) shall be applied by treating coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act in the same manner as a qualified health plan that was enrolled in through an Exchange.
(3)
In applying subsection (c)(2)(B)—
(A)
an individual shall not be considered to be eligible for minimum essential coverage described in section 5000A(f)(1)(A)(ii) by reason of eligibility for medical assistance under a State Medicaid program under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV); and
(B)
an individual who is not covered by minimum essential coverage described in section 5000A(f)(1)(B) shall not be considered to be eligible for such coverage.
 .
(2)
Advanced payment of credit
(A)
In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall establish a program under which—
(i)
upon request of a State agency administering a State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, advance determinations are made in a manner similar to advanced determinations under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to the income eligibility of individuals enrolling in such program for the premium tax credit allowable under  section 36B  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;
(ii)
the Secretary notifies—
(I)
the State agency administering the program and the Secretary of the Treasury of the advance determinations; and
(II)
the Secretary of the Treasury of the name and employer identification number of each employer with respect to whom 1 or more employees of the employer were determined to be eligible for the premium tax credit under  section 36B  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because—
(aa)
the employer did not provide minimum essential coverage; or
(bb)
the employer provided such minimum essential coverage but it was determined under section 36B(c)(2)(C) of such Code to either be unaffordable to the employee or not provide the required minimum actuarial value; and
(iii)
the Secretary of the Treasury makes advance payments of such credit or reductions to the State agency administering the program in order to reduce the premiums payable by individuals eligible for such credit.
(B)
Determinations and payments
Rules similar to subsections (b) and (c) of section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
(C)
Coordination with credit
(i)
In general
 Section 36B  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting  and under section 2(g)(2) of the  State Public Option Act   after  section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  each place it appears in subsections (f)(1), (f)(2), and (g)(1).
(ii)
Information reporting
Section 36B(f)(3) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following flush sentence:  In the case of any coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for which a credit under this section is allowable by reason of subsection (h), the State agency administering the Medicaid program shall be treated as an Exchange for purposes of this paragraph and subparagraph (A) shall not apply. .
(3)
Conforming amendment relating to employer responsibility
Paragraph (6) of  section 4980H(c)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting  , except that for purposes of subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2), the term  qualified health plan  shall include any plan described in section 36B(h)  after  such Act .
(h)
Conforming amendments
(1)
Section 1902(a)(10) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10) ), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended, in the matter following subparagraph (G)—
(A)
by striking  and (XVIII)  and inserting  , (XVIII) ; and
(B)
by inserting  , and (XIX) the medical assistance made available to an individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(XXIV) shall be limited to medical assistance described in subsection (k)(1)  before the semicolon.
(2)
Section 1903(f)(4) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(f)(4) ) is amended by inserting  1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV),  after  1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXII), .
(3)
Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) ) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking  or  at the end of clause (xvi);
(B)
by inserting  or  at the end of clause (xvii); and
(C)
by inserting after clause (xvii) the following new clause:
(xviii)
individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIV),
 .
(4)
Section 1916A(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o–1(a)(1) ) is amended by striking  or (j)  and inserting  (j), or (k) .
(5)
Section 1937(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–7(a)(1)(B) ) is amended by inserting  , subclause (XXIV) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii),  after  1902(a)(10)(A)(i) .
3.
Reviewing and updating Medicaid quality measures
(a)
In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the  Secretary ) shall review quality measures that are in use under the Medicaid program and, not later than January 1, 2030, shall update such measures to the extent necessary to ensure that such quality measures are appropriate for the population of individuals who are eligible to buy into Medicaid coverage under subclause (XXIV) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ), as added by section 2.
(b)
Reporting
The Secretary shall review, and, not later than January 1, 2032, update any corresponding State reporting requirements to include the quality measures under subsection (a).
(c)
State implementation funding
The Secretary may award funds, from the amount appropriated under subsection (d), to States for the purpose of updating and implementing the metrics developed under this section.
(d)
Appropriation
There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended, for the purpose of carrying out this section.
4.
Renewal of application of Medicare payment rate floor to primary care services furnished under Medicaid and inclusion of additional providers
(a)
Renewal of payment floor; additional providers
(1)
In general
Section 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13) ) is amended by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:
(C)
payment for primary care services (as defined in subsection (jj)) at a rate that is not less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to such services and physician under part B of title XVIII (or, if greater, the payment rate that would be applicable under such part if the conversion factor under section 1848(d) for the year involved were the conversion factor under such section for 2009), and that is not less than the rate that would otherwise apply to such services under this title if the rate were determined without regard to this subparagraph, and that are—
(i)
furnished in 2013 and 2014, by a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine; or
(ii)
furnished in the period that begins on the first day of the first month that begins after the date of enactment of the  State Public Option Act —
(I)
by a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine, but only if the physician self-attests that the physician is Board certified in family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine;
(II)
by a physician with a primary specialty designation of obstetrics and gynecology, but only if the physician self-attests that the physician is Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology;
(III)
by an advanced practice clinician, as defined by the Secretary, that works under the supervision of—
(aa)
a physician that satisfies the criteria specified in subclause (I) or (II); or
(bb)
a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law;
(IV)
by a rural health clinic, federally qualified health center, or other health clinic that receives reimbursement on a fee schedule applicable to a physician, a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law, for services furnished by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife, or services furnished by an advanced practice clinician supervised by a physician described in subclause (I)(aa) or (II)(aa), another advanced practice clinician, or a certified nurse-midwife; or
(V)
by a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law, in accordance with procedures that ensure that the portion of the payment for such services that the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife is paid is not less than the amount that the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife would be paid if the services were provided under part B of title XVIII;
 .
(2)
Conforming amendments
Section 1905(dd) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(dd) ) is amended—
(A)
by striking  Notwithstanding  and inserting the following:
(1)
In general
Notwithstanding
 ;
(B)
by inserting  or furnished during the additional period specified in paragraph (2),  after  2015, ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(2)
Additional period
For purposes of paragraph (1), the additional period specified in this paragraph is the period that begins on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of the  State Public Option Act .
 .
(b)
Improved targeting of primary care
Section 1902(jj) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(jj) ) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively and realigning the left margins accordingly;
(2)
by striking  For purposes of  and inserting the following:
(1)
In general
For purposes of
 ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(2)
Exclusions
Such term does not include any services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) if such services are provided in an emergency department of a hospital.
 .
(c)
Ensuring payment by managed care entities
(1)
In general
Section 1903(m)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(m)(2)(A) ) is amended—
(A)
in clause (xii), by striking  and  after the semicolon;
(B)
in clause (xiii)—
(i)
by realigning the left margin so as to align with the left margin of clause (xii); and
(ii)
by striking the period at the end of clause (xiii) and inserting  ; and ; and
(C)
by inserting after clause (xiii) the following:
(xiv)
such contract provides that (I) payments to providers specified in section 1902(a)(13)(C) for primary care services defined in section 1902(jj) that are furnished during a year or period specified in section 1902(a)(13)(C) and section 1905(dd) are at least equal to the amounts set forth and required by the Secretary by regulation, (II) the entity shall, upon request, provide documentation to the State, sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I), and (III) the Secretary shall approve payments described in subclause (I) that are furnished through an agreed upon capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement if the capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement is based on a reasonable methodology and the entity provides documentation to the State sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I).
 .
(2)
Conforming amendment
Section 1932(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(f) ) is amended by inserting  and clause (xiv) of section 1903(m)(2)(A)  before the period.
5.
Increased FMAP for medical assistance to newly eligible individuals
(a)
In general
Section 1905(y)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(y)(1) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  2014, 2015, and 2016  and inserting  each of the first 3 consecutive 12-month periods in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals ;
(2)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  2017  and inserting  the fourth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals ;
(3)
in subparagraph (C), by striking  2018  and inserting  the fifth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals ;
(4)
in subparagraph (D), by striking  2019  and inserting  the sixth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals ; and
(5)
in subparagraph (E), by striking  2020 and each year thereafter  and inserting  the seventh consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals and each such period thereafter .
(b)
Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of  Public Law 111–148 .
6.
Medicaid coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services
(a)
Inclusion of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services as medical assistance
Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) ), as amended by section 2(h) and section 209(a) of title I of division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, is further amended—
(1)
in paragraph (31), by striking  and  at the end;
(2)
by redesignating paragraph (32) as paragraph (33); and
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (31) the following new paragraph:
(32)
comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion services and abortion-related services; and
 .
(b)
Requiring coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services as condition of State plan approval
Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A) ), as amended by subsections (a) and (h) of section 2, is further amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking  and (30)  and inserting  (30), and (32) .
(c)
Conforming amendments
(1)
Section 1932(e)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(e)(1)(B) ) is amended by striking  Clause (i)  and inserting  With respect to the period beginning before January 1, 2023, clause (i) .
(2)
Section 1937(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–7(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(9)
Coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services
Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, a State may not provide for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage under this section unless such coverage includes medical assistance for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion services and abortion-related services.
 .
(d)
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to medical assistance furnished on or after January 1, 2026.