Healthcare (Insurance)

This bill prohibits health insurance plans sold through the American Health Benefits Exchanges (the ACA marketplace) from covering abortion (except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest) or gender-transition procedures for minors. It defines "gender-transition procedures" to include puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries for minors seeking to align their bodies with their gender identity, with limited medical exceptions. The law directly affects health plans on the ACA marketplace and their enrollees, particularly minors seeking gender-affirming care and individuals seeking abortions outside the specified exceptions. The changes would take effect for plan years starting January 1, 2026.

HJRES 123 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It seeks to nullify CMS's June 2025 rule titled "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability," which was published in the Federal Register (90 Fed. Reg. 27074). If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect under procedures outlined in Title 5, U.S. Code. The bill directly affects the CMS regulation governing the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplace, not the broader law itself.