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H.R. 265: Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

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H.R. 265: Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

114th Congress · introduced 2015-01-09 · Health · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2015-01-09 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

Plain summary

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer a public health insurance option, which is a health benefits plan available through Exchanges that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high-quality coverage throughout the United States. Declares that HHS'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 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 HHS to: (1) establish an office of the ombudsman for the public health insurance option, (2) collect 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 HHS to use innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the public health insurance option.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] · 37 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Judy Chu (D-CA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Peter Welch (D-VT), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Betty McCollum (D-MN)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] reported raising $415,385 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-hr265 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114