Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced a $1 trillion plan Monday that would create the largest Medicaid expansion in the history of the U.S. and would allow states to choose to expand their own Medicaid programs.
The plan, which was initially introduced in January, would also expand Medicaid coverage for all people, regardless of income.
The proposal is a significant expansion of Medicaid coverage, and the first in a series of bipartisan bills Reicherscare.
Reichesaid that it would allow for states to opt-out of federal requirements to offer health insurance coverage to people earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $24,680 for a family of four.
That would include children under age 6 and anyone who has been a resident of Washington state for the past three years.
The bill also allows states to establish their own public insurance exchanges that will offer health coverage to the roughly 23 million Americans currently enrolled in state-based private insurance plans.
Reis said that under the bill, he would work to ensure that the program can continue to provide affordable care and coverage to those who need it most.
Reicherts plan would also require states to provide coverage to at least 10 percent of all uninsured people by 2025, and it would require states and local governments to cover at least 40 percent of people who are uninsured by 2030.
This would include coverage for anyone who does not have health insurance and those who lack a job or income, or who are elderly.
It would also extend coverage to millions of those who have lost their coverage due to an opioid overdose, and to help people who receive prescription drugs.
Reichers plan would increase Medicaid coverage to 30 million people by 2026, while extending coverage to all low-income adults.
The plan would not only cover the uninsured, but would also help families and individuals who earn up to 400 percent of federal poverty.
It also would expand Medicaid eligibility to the children of the most vulnerable people.
In the last few months, there has been significant debate about how to deal with the opioid crisis.
Republicans have been vocal about their opposition to a bill from House Speaker Paul Ryan (R) that would have made it easier for states and insurers to opt out of federal rules that require them to cover opioid-related care.
That bill would have required states to expand Medicaid, a provision that has not been included in Reichelts proposal.
Ryan has repeatedly claimed that his plan would be a good option to help the opioid epidemic, but his comments have not been fully supported by the Trump administration.