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HR 261 113th Congress House

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

Official title: To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish a public health insurance option.

Introduced: January 15, 2013 Introduced by: Schakowsky, Janice D. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Health Comprehensive health careDepartment of Health and Human ServicesExecutive agency funding and structureHealth care costs and insurance
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Health care coverage and accessHealth programs administration and funding
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 18, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 15, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 15, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 18, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer through Exchanges a health benefits plan (public health insurance option) that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high-quality coverage throughout the United States. Declares that the Secretary's primary responsibility is to create a low-cost plan without compromising quality or access to care.

Sets forth provisions related to the establishment and governance of the public health insurance option, including that such plan: (1) may be made available only through Exchanges; (2) must comply with requirements applicable to other health benefits plans offered through such Exchanges, including requirements related to benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices, consumer protections, and cost sharing; and (3) must offer bronze, silver, and gold plan levels.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an office of the ombudsman for the public health insurance option, (2) collect such data as may be required to establish premiums and payment rates, (3) establish geographically adjusted premiums at a level sufficient to fully finance the costs of the health benefits provided and administrative costs related to the operation of the plan, and (4) establish payment rates and provide for greater payment rates for the first three years.

Requires repayment of start-up costs for the public health insurance option.

Authorizes the Secretary to utilize innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the public health insurance option.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 261: Public Option Deficit Reduction Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-261/
MLA
"H.R. 261: Public Option Deficit Reduction Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-261/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 261, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-261/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 261: Public Option Deficit Reduction Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-261/)
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