As federal lawmakers continue discussions on how to address a looming spike in healthcare costs for millions of Americans, one new proposal would provide direct payments of up to $1,500.

With the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, an estimated 23 million Americans are expected to see their healthcare costs skyrocket in 2026.

While some lawmakers are pushing for extensions of the enhanced credits, others have plans that would put money to cover healthcare costs directly in the pockets of eligible enrollees.

Republican U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, recently introduced the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act.

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