Horsford, Moore Introduce Bill to Make Health Coverage More Affordable

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Gwen Moore (WI-04) today introduced the Dependent Income Exclusion Act to make health insurance more affordable for working families.

The legislation adjusts how the premium tax credit is calculated by excluding income earned by dependents through part-time jobs or participation in job training programs. This adjustment would allow many more families to qualify for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and would increase the level of support for those who already receive them.

 “No family should be penalized because their child works or pursues a skilled trade while completing their academics,”Congressman Horsford said. “As Nevadans brace for Republican cuts to Medicaid and the end of APTCs, the Dependent Income Exclusion Act offers a very difference vision – one where we pride ourselves on expanding affordable care because it saves lives and spends far fewer tax dollars than allowing millions of vulnerable Americans to become uninsured again.”

 “I’m proud to support the Dependent Income Exclusion Act—a smart, compassionate fix that will make health insurance more affordable for working families,” Congresswoman Moore said. “By excluding certain dependent income from subsidy calculations, we can ensure that kids in part-time jobs or training programs don’t inadvertently push their families out of affordable coverage. It’s a commonsense step toward strengthening access to care and supporting upward mobility for the next generation.”

 The Dependent Income Exclusion Act is proudly endorsed by Protect Our Care.

 “Congressman Horsford is fighting to make it easier for families to get the care they need,” Brad Woodhouse, President of Protect Our Care, said. “At a time when health care is under attack like never before, Democrats are working to ensure Nevadans and people across America can afford the care they need to thrive. The contrast is clear: Congressman Horsford is fighting for working families, and Republicans are fighting for billionaires.”

 The introduction of this bill comes amidst multiple efforts by President Trump and Congressional Republicans to strip health coverage from working Americans. On May 22, 2025, House Republicans passed their partisan tax and budget reconciliation proposal that would cause roughly 15 million Americans to lose health coverage by 2034.

 One of the driving factors behind this projection is the proposal’s omission of an extension of the Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC), which are set to expire at the end of 2025. Thanks to House Democrats through the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, this credit enabled more than 20 million Americans to gain affordable coverage. Allowing them to lapse will strip coverage from approximately five million Americans.

 During a more than 17-hour markup in the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Horsford introduced five amendments – including one to permanently extend APTC benefits. More information is available here and a video of his remarks is available here. 

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