Senator Rick Scott’s legislative push to fundamentally restructure the Affordable Care Act gained momentum today as Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) formally backed the proposal.
Dubbed the “More Affordable Care Act,” the bill aims to shift the mechanics of federal health care support away from insurance companies and directly to patients. The legislation is being championed in the House by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
At the heart of the proposal is the creation of “Trump Health Freedom Accounts.” These Health Savings Account (HSA)-style funds would change how subsidies are distributed. Rather than federal dollars going to insurers to offset premiums, the bill proposes sending that money directly to individuals.
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Families could then use these tax-free funds to pay for premiums or other medical expenses, a move Scott argues would force insurers to compete for business rather than relying on guaranteed government payouts.
“We can make Obamacare actually work for families by giving them options,” Scott said in a statement, arguing that the current system has resulted in higher costs and fewer choices. “We just have to let Americans be the consumer so they can get care that truly fits their needs.”
Beyond the funding shift, the bill seeks to dismantle state boundaries for insurance markets. Under the plan, states could opt out of certain ACA mandates, allowing insurers to sell plans across state lines. Supporters claim this would break up regional monopolies and lower prices through increased competition.
The proposal also leans heavily on transparency, mandating that providers offer up-front pricing—essentially a “menu” of costs—so patients know the price of services before receiving care.
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Senator Mike Lee framed the legislation as a necessary corrective to what he called the “scam” of the original Affordable Care Act.
“Trump Health Freedom accounts will ensure Americans get the aid they’ve been allocated, instead of handing it out to insurance companies,” Lee said. “These changes will advance President Trump’s health care transparency agenda.”
While the bill proposes significant structural changes, it explicitly maintains protections for pre-existing conditions. It also includes provisions to ensure federal funds remain Hyde-compliant, restricting their use for abortion services.
Senator Lummis emphasized that the goal is to stop taxpayer subsidization of large insurance firms. “We need to be empowering patients,” she said.
The bill also includes enhancements to the Small Business Tax Credit, aiming to incentivize more employers to offer coverage options.
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