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Bill115th CongressFiled May 19, 2017Taxation
H.R. 2579

Broader Options for Americans Act

Bill journey · stage 1 of 5

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Comm.
Floor
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Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jun 15, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 2, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Broader Options for Americans Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the premium assistance tax credit to be used for unsubsidized COBRA continuation health coverage.

(Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [COBRA], an individual may continue to receive coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan after an event that would otherwise end coverage, such as a termination of employment. This bill applies to COBRA continuation coverage if the premiums are solely the obligation of the taxpayer.)

"COBRA continuation coverage" includes continuation coverage provided under:

  • the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
  • a state law or program that provides comparable coverage; or
  • a church plan that provides comparable coverage.

It does not include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement.

For the coverage to qualify for the tax credit, the plan administrator of the group health plan must certify that the COBRA continuation coverage meets the requirements for qualified health plans.

The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and applies (if at all) after December 31, 2019.

What just happenedFeb 15, 2018

Considered by Senate. (CR S1131-1136, S1138-1148)

Who’s behind it

Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12](R-OH)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
1committees27actions101amendments1related bills5subjects
  1. Feb 15, 2018Floor

    Considered by Senate. (CR S1131-1136, S1138-1148)

  2. Feb 14, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by motion.

  3. Feb 14, 2018Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

  4. Feb 14, 2018Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S930-965)

  5. Feb 13, 2018Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S890-895, S895-903)

  6. Feb 12, 2018Floor

    Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 1. Record Vote Number: 32. (CR S867-868)

  7. Feb 12, 2018Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S856-868)

  8. Feb 9, 2018Floor

    Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the consideration of the measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S849-850)

  9. Feb 9, 2018Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S849-850)

  10. Feb 6, 2018Calendars

    Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 302.

  11. Feb 5, 2018Calendars

    Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

  12. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  13. Jun 15, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  14. Jun 15, 2017FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 267 - 144 (Roll no. 308). (text: CR H4929)

  15. Jun 15, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 267 - 144 (Roll no. 308).(text: CR H4929)

  16. Jun 15, 2017FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  17. Jun 15, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2579.

  18. Jun 15, 2017FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2372 and H.R. 2579, with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except a motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill. Both measures will be considered read and are closed to amendments.

  19. Jun 15, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 379. (consideration: CR H4929-4931)

  20. Jun 15, 2017FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 379 passed House.

  21. Jun 12, 2017FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 379 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2372 and H.R. 2579. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2372 and H.R. 2579, with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except a motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill. Both measures will be considered read and are closed to amendments.

  22. Jun 2, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 107.

  23. Jun 2, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 115-160.

    Ways and Means Committee
  24. Jun 2, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 115-160.

    Ways and Means Committee
  25. May 19, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

    Ways and Means Committee
  26. May 19, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  27. May 19, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJun 15, 201736

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 2, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Broader Options for Americans Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the premium assistance tax credit to be used for unsubsidized COBRA continuation health coverage.

(Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [COBRA], an individual may continue to receive coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan after an event that would otherwise end coverage, such as a termination of employment. This bill applies to COBRA continuation coverage if the premiums are solely the obligation of the taxpayer.)

"COBRA continuation coverage" includes continuation coverage provided under:

  • the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
  • a state law or program that provides comparable coverage; or
  • a church plan that provides comparable coverage.

It does not include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement.

For the coverage to qualify for the tax credit, the plan administrator of the group health plan must certify that the COBRA continuation coverage meets the requirements for qualified health plans.

The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and applies (if at all) after December 31, 2019.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jun 2, 201717

Broader Options for Americans Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the premium assistance tax credit to be used for unsubsidized COBRA continuation health coverage.

(Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [COBRA], an individual may continue to receive coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan after an event that would otherwise end coverage, such as a termination of employment. This bill applies to COBRA continuation coverage if the premiums are solely the obligation of the taxpayer.)

"COBRA continuation coverage" includes continuation coverage provided under:

  • the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
  • a state law or program that provides comparable coverage; or
  • a church plan that provides comparable coverage.

It does not include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement.

For the coverage to qualify for the tax credit, the plan administrator of the group health plan must certify that the COBRA continuation coverage meets the requirements for qualified health plans.

The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and applies (if at all) after December 31, 2019.

Introduced in HouseMay 19, 2017

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the premium assistance tax credit to be used for unsubsidized COBRA continuation health coverage.

(Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [COBRA], an individual may continue to receive coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan after an event that would otherwise end coverage, such as a termination of employment. This bill applies to COBRA continuation coverage if the premiums are solely the obligation of the taxpayer.)

"COBRA continuation coverage" includes continuation coverage provided under:

  • the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
  • a state law or program that provides comparable coverage; or
  • a church plan that provides comparable coverage.

It does not include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement.

For the coverage to qualify for the tax credit, the plan administrator of the group health plan must certify that the COBRA continuation coverage meets the requirements for qualified health plans.

The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and applies (if at all) after December 31, 2019.

Broader Options for Americans Act — Informed