CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act

The CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act aims to prevent a significant increase in health insurance costs by extending enhanced premium tax credits for individuals and families purchasing coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. The proposal would extend these savings for two years, though it introduces new income caps and a phase-out for higher-earning households to target the assistance. It also proposes extending the open enrollment period to give consumers more time to select plans and adjust to the new rules.

To address concerns about government spending and system integrity, the bill would implement stricter guardrails against waste and fraud. This includes new penalties for agents or brokers who engage in fraudulent enrollment and requirements for marketplaces to regularly verify eligibility using federal records. Additionally, the bill proposes reforms for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing, such as banning certain Medicaid pricing practices and requiring clearer disclosures of drug manufacturer contracts.