Pennsylvania House approves bills to preserve key Affordable Care Act protections if federal law changes

Harrisburg, Pa. — On March 24, 2025, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a package of bills intended to maintain core protections of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if the federal law were to be overturned. The House approved House Bill 404, House Bill 535, House Bill 618 and House Bill 755; clerks recorded final tallies on each measure and the clerk will present the measures to the state Senate for concurrence.

Supporters said the bills protect access to care for families across the commonwealth. Representative Pashinski spoke in favor of House Bill 404, saying the measure "allow[s] our young adults to remain on their parents' health insurance plans until the age of 26" and asking colleagues to "please support House Bill 404 and the children we all love." Representative Frankel urged passage of House Bill 535, describing lifetime and annual dollar limits on coverage as cruel to sick families: "No patient should ever hear that they've maxed out their coverage when they still have months or years of treatment ahead," he said.

The bills and recorded outcomes

- House Bill 404 — would allow parents to keep adult children on parental health plans up to age 26 if the federal Affordable Care Act is no longer in effect. Final passage: ayes 123, nays 79. Clerk: "The bill passes finally, and the clerk will present the same to the senate for concurrence." (Transcript evidence cited.)

- House Bill 535 — would prohibit health insurers from imposing annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential medical care if the federal Affordable Care Act is repealed. Final passage: yeas 121, nays 81. Supporters argued the bill prevents insurers from capping coverage for costly, ongoing treatments.

- House Bill 618 — would bar preexisting-condition exclusions if the federal Affordable Care Act is overturned. Final passage: yeas 125, nays 77.

- House Bill 755 — would require health insurance policies to cover preventive health services if the federal Affordable Care Act is no longer in effect. Final passage: yeas 133, nays 69.

Why it matters

Supporters framed the package as a state-level safety net to preserve access to coverage and prevent insurers from reinstating practices that previously limited care for people with serious or chronic conditions. Advocates and sponsors said the measures protect young adults transitioning to independence and families facing high-cost diseases.

What the bills do not decide

None of the measures alters federal law; each is contingent on a change in federal statutory protections. The House recorded final passage on the measures and, as is customary, the clerk will forward them to the Senate for concurrence. The transcript does not specify implementation timelines or effective dates beyond final passage; those details were not provided in the recorded remarks.

Votes at a glance and next steps

All four bills were approved by the House on final passage and the clerk announced each would be presented to the Senate for concurrence. If the Senate concurs, the measures would follow the ordinary enactment process for state bills. No amendments or committee directions changing the bills' substance were recorded on final passage in the transcript.

Ending

Speakers who addressed these bills were recorded on the House floor during the March 24 session. The transcript records the votes and the sponsors' floor remarks; additional committee or Senate action is not included in the transcript.