Earned Benefits Equality and Family Reunification Act

HR 5299, the Earned Benefits Equality and Family Reunification Act, creates a 10-year Medicare demonstration program allowing eligible beneficiaries to use Medicare benefits for healthcare received in specific foreign countries. It directly affects Medicare Part A/B beneficiaries who relocate to one of 11 initially selected nations (including Canada, Germany, India, and others) or are already residing there as primary Medicare payors. The program reimburses beneficiaries for healthcare costs incurred in participating countries, capped at equivalent U.S. costs, while requiring voluntary participation and maintaining access to U.S. Medicare coverage. The Secretary must annually evaluate the program’s impact on care quality, government costs, family reunification, and U.S. medical infrastructure strain, with findings reported to Congress.