WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Affordable Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement (CHOICE) Act to add a publicly operated health insurance option to the Affordable Care Act’s individual marketplaces on healthcare.gov and state level exchanges.
The measure would drive competition and guarantee American consumers access to an affordable, high-quality plan in every insurance market in the country. In June 2025, Slotkin called for a public insurance option in her Economic War Plan speech.
“Our health care system is fundamentally broken, it’s not working,” said Slotkin. “We need deep changes to make sure everyone has access to health care coverage they can afford. That’s why we need a public insurance option, similar to Medicare, that provides affordable coverage to those who need it. The Affordable CHOICE Act will do just that, while supporting competition to drive down costs for everyone.”
“Democrats remain united in our fight to make high-quality, affordable health care available to families across America,” said Whitehouse. “Republicans have a longstanding obsession with taking health care from their constituents. Republicans’ concern that the tax credits are lining the pockets of big insurance companies should be easily assuaged by a public option — a health plan administered by the government that would get more people covered and lower insurance costs across the marketplace.”
“I am committed to ensuring that every person in the United States has access to quality, affordable health care,” said Schakowsky. “At a time when families are being squeezed by rising premiums and high health care costs, Congress must act. This legislation is a practical, proven way to drive down premiums, increase competition, and expand access to coverage for millions of Americans and small businesses. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and it is long past time we give people a real, affordable choice.”
The Affordable CHOICE Act would create a public health insurance option subject to the same requirements that apply to other plans offered on Affordable Care Act exchanges. It would offer the same tax credits available to individual marketplace consumers as well as essential, comprehensive benefits.
The full text of the bill is available here.
###