Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow membership fees and administrative payments to a health care sharing ministry (HCSM) to qualify as medical expenses under Section 213. It also adds a new section (7702C) stating that HCSMs are not to be treated as health plans or insurance for purposes of the tax code.
Liberals emphasize consumer protections and ACA destabilization risks
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused, well-specified statutory amendment that clearly identifies the Code sections to change and sets an effective date.
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow membership fees and administrative payments to a health care sharing ministry (HCSM) to qualify as medical expenses under Section 213.
It also adds a new section (7702C) stating that HCSMs are not to be treated as health plans or insurance for purposes of the tax code.
The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and rely on the HCSM definition in section 5000A(d)(2)(B)(ii) without subclause (IV).
Technically narrow but ideologically salient with fiscal cost; easier in one chamber, difficult to clear full Congress without compromise.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused, well-specified statutory amendment that clearly identifies the Code sections to change and sets an effective date. It lacks accompanying fiscal analysis, implementation detail around eligibility and safeguards, and explicit accountability or reporting provisions.
Liberals emphasize consumer protections and ACA destabilization risks
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Liberals emphasize consumer protections and ACA destabilization risks
Likely opposed or skeptical.
Supporters argue tax parity and religious accommodation, but the text removes treatment as insurance, raising concerns about consumer protections and ACA undermining.
Many impacts are speculative without additional consumer safeguards.
Mixed view: appreciates tax parity and respect for religious choices but worries about market and fiscal impacts.
Would seek data, certification standards, and guardrails to prevent consumer harm and market disruption.
Effects on ACA and revenue are uncertain.
Generally supportive.
The bill provides tax relief, protects religious freedom, and reduces characterization of HCSMs as insurance, limiting federal overreach.
Some caution about fraud or misuse, but benefits align with preference for voluntary market alternatives.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Technically narrow but ideologically salient with fiscal cost; easier in one chamber, difficult to clear full Congress without compromise.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals emphasize consumer protections and ACA destabilization risks
Technically narrow but ideologically salient with fiscal cost; easier in one chamber, difficult to clear full Congress without compromise.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused, well-specified statutory amendment that clearly identifies the Code sections to change and sets an effective date. It lacks accompanying fiscal…
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