H.R. 10692 – Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 2, 2026 at 8:37 AM UTC

The Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act reinstates the premium tax credit for people who are lawfully present in the United States, including those who cannot get Medicaid because of their immigration status. It also gives states flexibility to raise the income limit for eligibility in the basic health program from the current 200% of the poverty line up to 250%. The changes take effect for tax years after 2025 and for plan years starting in 2027.

Key Provisions

Repeals the provision that removed the premium tax credit for lawfully present individuals, restoring the credit as if the removal had never happened.
Adds a rule that lawfully present aliens who are ineligible for Medicaid can qualify for the premium tax credit by treating their household income as 100% of the poverty line for their family size.
Allows each state to set its own maximum household income threshold for basic health program eligibility, anywhere between 200% and 250% of the poverty line, effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

Ways and Means Committee

October 1, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 1, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

Ways and Means Committee

October 1, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued October 1, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10692

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 1, 2026

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez (for herself, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Torres of New York, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Riley of New York, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Gillen, Ms. Meng, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Latimer, and Mr. Mannion) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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

A BILL

To restore the allowance of the premium tax credit for lawfully present individuals, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act.

2.

Restoration of allowance of premium tax credit for lawfully present individuals

(a)

In general

Section 71301 of Public Law 119–21 is repealed, and each provision of law amended by such section is amended to read as such provision would read if such section had never been enacted.

(b)

Effective date

Each amendment made by this section shall take effect as if included in the provision of Public Law 119–21 to which such amendment relates.

3.

Restoration of allowance of premium tax credit during periods of Medicaid ineligibility due to alien status

(a)

In general

Section 36B(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 71302 of Public Law 119–21, is amended by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:

(B)

Special rule for certain individuals lawfully present in the United States

If—

(i)

a taxpayer has a household income which is not greater than 100 percent of an amount equal to the poverty line for a family of the size involved, and

(ii)

the taxpayer is an alien lawfully present in the United States, but is not eligible for the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act by reason of such alien status,

the taxpayer shall, for purposes of the credit under this section, be treated as an applicable taxpayer with a household income which is equal to 100 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

4.

State option to increase maximum household income for basic health program eligibility

(a)

In general

Section 1331(e)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18051(e)(1)(B)) is amended by striking 200 percent and inserting a percentage to be determined by the State that is not less than 200 percent and not more than 250 percent.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.