H.R. 2579: Broader Options for Americans Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-05-19 · Taxation · Latest: Considered by Senate. (CR S1131-1136, S1138-1148)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-05-19 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 6 recorded votes in our records. Latest: Senate vote 33 (2018): On the Cloture Motion, HR2579 (2018-02-15), Cloture Motion Rejected. See all
Where it stands now: Considered by Senate. (CR S1131-1136, S1138-1148) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
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

Broader Options for Americans Act

Plain summary

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the premium assistance tax credit to be used for unsubsidized COBRA continuation health coverage. (Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [COBRA], an individual may continue to receive coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan after an event that would otherwise end coverage, such as a termination of employment. This bill applies to COBRA continuation coverage if the premiums are solely the obligation of the taxpayer.) "COBRA continuation coverage" includes continuation coverage provided under: the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; a state law or program that provides comparable coverage; or a church plan that provides comparable coverage. It does not include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement. For the coverage to qualify for the tax credit, the plan administrator of the group health plan must certify that the COBRA continuation coverage meets the requirements for qualified health plans. The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and applies (if at all) after December 31, 2019.

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

Broader Options for Americans Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2579, Broader Options for Americans Act (2017-06-01)

Recorded votes

House roll call 308 (2017): On Passage, HR2579 (2017-06-15): Passed
Senate vote 32 (2018): On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed, HR2579 (2018-02-12): Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 33 (2018): On the Cloture Motion, HR2579 (2018-02-15): Cloture Motion Rejected
Senate vote 34 (2018): On the Cloture Motion, HR2579 (2018-02-15): Cloture Motion Rejected
Senate vote 35 (2018): On the Cloture Motion, HR2579 (2018-02-15): Cloture Motion Rejected
Senate vote 36 (2018): On the Cloture Motion, HR2579 (2018-02-15): Cloture Motion Rejected

Words on this page, explained (3)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Obligation: A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr2579.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr2579 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115