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S. 1976 115th Congress Senate

Increasing Access to Care Act

Official title: A bill to allow all individuals purchasing health insurance in the individual market the option to purchase a lower premium copper plan.

Introduced: October 17, 2017 Introduced by: Tim Scott Republican · South Carolina See on congress.gov
Health Health care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessInsurance industry and regulation
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 17, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Oct 17, 2017
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action October 17, 2017

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Increasing Access to Care Act

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to eliminate restrictions on who may purchase catastrophic health plans.

Catastrophic health plans do not cover any benefits, other than three primary care visits per year, before the deductible is met; such plans are generally characterized by lower premiums and higher deductibles. Currently, only individuals who are younger than 30 years of age or who have a hardship exemption may purchase such plans.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1976: Increasing Access to Care Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1976/
MLA
"S. 1976: Increasing Access to Care Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1976/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1976, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1976/.
Markdown link
[S. 1976: Increasing Access to Care Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1976/)
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