Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 123
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-12T13:43:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 123) aims to disapprove a specific rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The rule relates to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, commonly known as Obamacare) and focuses on maintaining the integrity and affordability of health insurance marketplaces where individuals can buy coverage. By disapproving the rule, Congress seeks to prevent it from being implemented.
Key Provisions
- Invocation of the Congressional Review Act (CRA): The resolution uses Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the United States Code, a law that allows Congress to review and overturn federal agency rules within a set period after they are finalized.
- Specific Rule Targeted: It disapproves the CMS rule titled "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability," published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2025 (Volume 90, page 27074).
- Effect of Disapproval: If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, meaning CMS could not enforce it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend the ACA or other statutes directly but overrides an administrative rule issued by CMS to implement parts of the ACA.
- It represents a check on executive branch authority, using the CRA to block agency interpretations or updates to health insurance regulations without altering the underlying ACA law itself.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: CMS would be unable to implement the rule, potentially requiring the agency to revert to prior policies on marketplace operations, which could affect how subsidies, enrollment, and affordability standards are managed.
- On Citizens: Individuals relying on ACA marketplaces for health insurance might face unchanged or reverted rules on costs, eligibility verification, and plan options, possibly influencing access to affordable coverage during open enrollment periods.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic health policy matter.
- Broader effects could include shifts in health insurance premiums or enrollment numbers, depending on what the disapproved rule intended to change (e.g., enhancing protections against fraud or adjusting subsidy calculations).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congress: Gains oversight by exercising its CRA authority to influence health policy.
- CMS and Federal Agencies: Directly impacted, as their rulemaking power is curtailed.
- Health Insurance Providers and Marketplaces: Affected by rules on integrity (e.g., preventing improper enrollments) and affordability (e.g., subsidy adjustments), which could alter business operations.
- Consumers and Citizens: Primarily low- and middle-income individuals using ACA exchanges, who may see variations in insurance costs and availability.
- Healthcare Advocates and Insurers: Groups involved in ACA implementation, such as consumer protection organizations or insurance companies, could experience policy uncertainty.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the CRA as a tool for congressional oversight of the executive branch, ensuring agency rules align with legislative intent; the resolution, if enacted, would nullify the rule without needing presidential approval if passed via veto-proof margins.
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, with Congress checking administrative actions under the ACA, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Political: Could signal partisan divides on ACA reforms, as disapproving rules might delay or block efforts to strengthen marketplace protections; introduced in the 119th Congress (2025–2026), it reflects ongoing debates over healthcare affordability amid potential changes in federal leadership.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
Cosponsors (35)
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability". — issued 2025-09-17 — PDF (2 pages)