Summary
The Lower Health Care Costs Act would extend temporary provisions from previous legislation that make health insurance more affordable for Americans. Specifically, the bill would continue expanded eligibility for the premium tax credit, which helps people pay for health insurance purchased through exchanges, by removing the current 400% federal poverty level income cap that is set to return after 2025. This means higher-income individuals would remain eligible for assistance.
Additionally, the bill would maintain lower percentages of household income that people must contribute toward insurance premiums, and would prevent these percentages from increasing due to inflation. Together, these provisions would make health insurance premiums more affordable for eligible taxpayers by keeping tax credits larger and available to more people through 2028. The bill is currently in early stages and has not advanced past the Senate floor procedural vote.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
S.Amdt.3967Proposed
Sullivan, Dan
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 644. (CR S8654-8655)
Dec 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025, 12:29 PM ET
SenateRejected
On the Cloture Motion
On the Cloture Motion
51 Yes
48 No
VoteClotureSenate
On December 11, 2025, the Senate voted 51-48 on a cloture motion for S. 3385, the Lower Health Care Costs Act. Cloture failed to reach the 60 votes required to end debate and limit amendments on legislation. This means the bill is effectively blocked from advancing, at least for now, even though a simple majority of senators voted to proceed. All 45 Democrats voted to invoke cloture, joined by 4 Republicans. All 48 Republicans opposed ending debate. The vote fell along largely partisan lines, with only a small number of Republicans willing to allow the bill to move forward for a final vote. With cloture rejected, the filibuster succeeds and S. 3385 remains stalled. Senate leadership would need to find additional Republican support or pursue other procedural options to advance the bill. The underlying legislation on health care costs will not receive a final passage vote at this time unless the dynamics change.
S.Amdt.3959Proposed
Collins, Susan M.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8567)
Dec 9, 2025
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S8567)
Dec 9, 2025
S.Amdt.3967Proposed
Sullivan, Dan
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 644. (CR S8654-8655)
Dec 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025, 12:29 PM ET
SenateRejected
On the Cloture Motion
On the Cloture Motion
51 Yes
48 No
VoteClotureSenate
On December 11, 2025, the Senate voted 51-48 on a cloture motion for S. 3385, the Lower Health Care Costs Act. Cloture failed to reach the 60 votes required to end debate and limit amendments on legislation. This means the bill is effectively blocked from advancing, at least for now, even though a simple majority of senators voted to proceed. All 45 Democrats voted to invoke cloture, joined by 4 Republicans. All 48 Republicans opposed ending debate. The vote fell along largely partisan lines, with only a small number of Republicans willing to allow the bill to move forward for a final vote. With cloture rejected, the filibuster succeeds and S. 3385 remains stalled. Senate leadership would need to find additional Republican support or pursue other procedural options to advance the bill. The underlying legislation on health care costs will not receive a final passage vote at this time unless the dynamics change.
S.Amdt.3959Proposed
Collins, Susan M.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8567)
Dec 9, 2025
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S8567)
Dec 9, 2025
