Last week, four committees in the House of Representatives approved health care-related legislation as part of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill proposed by Democrats. This bill is modeled on President Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” and includes substantial funding to support public health initiatives, boost COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts nationwide and mitigate shortages in the medical supply chain. This bill also includes significant policy changes that would expand health care coverage through Medicaid and the private insurance market.

The House Budget Committee and the House Rules Committee will meet to review and approve the legislation it goes to the House floor for a vote, likely the week of Feb. 22. The bill is expected to pass the House along partisan lines and then it will proceed to the Senate for a vote. Democratic leadership has stated their intention to pass the bill into law before mid-March, when unemployment assistance is set to expire.