Treasury Secretary proposes stricter verification for health care tax credit

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented a series of regulatory changes targeting the Premium Tax Credit, a subsidy that helps Americans afford health insurance. The proposed rules would increase verification requirements to confirm that recipients are U.S. citizens or eligible residents, thereby closing existing eligibility gaps. Bessent framed the initiative as a continuation of the Working Families Tax Cuts reforms, emphasizing the need to protect taxpayer-funded benefits from misuse.

He also highlighted the administration’s broader agenda of cracking down on fraud, reducing health-care expenses, and restoring integrity to the tax system. While the proposal does not yet have the force of law, it signals a shift toward limiting public assistance for non-Americans. The move follows a pattern of using financial levers to address illegal immigration alongside traditional enforcement measures.