Healthcare (Medicare)

in committee · United States · House May 13, 2026

HR 8804: Medicare Payment Integrity Enhancement Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Medicare Payment Integrity Enhancement Act of 2026, allows contractors hired to audit Medicare claims to review them before payments are made. Under current rules, these auditors can only check claims after money has already been sent out, but this legislation would expand their authority to stop improper payments in advance. To support this new role, the bill changes how these contractors are paid by linking their compensation to the amount of money they successfully prevent from being paid out incorrectly. Additionally, it requires the government to create a specific funding plan that transfers money from Medicare trust funds to cover these prepayment review costs. The law also mandates that the health department issue rules within a year to explain exactly how contractor pay and savings calculations will work.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by preventing improper Medicare payments, thereby protecting state/federal budget integrity and reducing wasteful spending.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Medicare payment integrity by allowing pre-payment audits to stop improper payments, protecting healthcare funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Medicare

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in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2026

S 4624: Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026

The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026 allows Medicare to pay for services provided by radiologist assistants, who are certified professionals working under the direct supervision of a radiologist. This legislation defines these services as those legally permitted by state law and ensures that payment goes to the supervising radiologist rather than the assistant. The bill applies to services rendered in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other specified facility settings starting on January 1, 2027. By adding radiologist assistant services to the list of covered benefits, the act aims to expand access to diagnostic imaging while maintaining the existing requirement that assistants operate within a radiologist-led team.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicare coverage to include radiologist assistants, improving patient access to radiology services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 9002: SURS Extension Act

The SURS Extension Act extends the Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support Program through fiscal year 2031. This program provides financial incentives to healthcare providers who treat patients in rural areas or underserved communities. By amending the Social Security Act, the bill ensures these payments continue for six additional years. The measure directly affects small medical practices and facilities that serve high-need populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends funding for a healthcare program serving rural and underserved communities, aligning with increasing public service funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends funding for a program providing financial incentives to healthcare providers in rural and underserved areas, improving access and strengthening support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8749: SAFE through Medicare Act

The SAFE through Medicare Act expands Medicare coverage to include specific home resiliency services for individuals deemed medically at-risk during climate or manmade disasters. This bill defines these services as medically necessary items, such as heat pumps, solar batteries, and energy-efficient cold storage, that help vulnerable people cope with extreme weather events like heat waves, cold snaps, or flooding. To determine eligibility, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will establish a process considering factors like geographic climate risks, local disaster history, and a patient's reliance on temperature-sensitive medical equipment or power-dependent devices. If approved, Medicare will cover 100 percent of the cost for these services, provided they are furnished on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates funding for heat pumps, solar batteries, and energy-efficient storage, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicare coverage to include home resiliency services for medically at-risk individuals, directly strengthening healthcare access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar Medicare

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in committee · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 8891: Rural MOMS Act of 2026

The Rural MOMS Act of 2026 modifies how Medicare counts hospital beds, specifically excluding labor and delivery rooms from the total number of acute care inpatient beds used to determine if a facility qualifies as a Critical Access Hospital. This change directly affects rural hospitals that provide maternity services by altering the financial thresholds required to maintain their special status under the Medicare program. By removing delivery rooms from the bed count calculation, the bill aims to prevent these facilities from losing their designation solely because they offer childbirth care. The legislation does not change how these hospitals are funded or operated, but rather adjusts the metric used to evaluate their eligibility for critical access benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects rural hospitals' Critical Access Hospital status by excluding maternity rooms from bed counts, ensuring continued funding and access to maternal care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Women's Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 4355: Drug Deal Disclosure Act

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release specific records regarding agreements between the federal government and major drug manufacturers starting in 2025. This law mandates the disclosure of contracts that include provisions such as reduced drug prices based on international rates, direct-to-consumer sales discounts, duty exemptions, and special treatment for Medicare programs. While the bill allows for the redaction of confidential pricing details, it prohibits withholding information based on political sensitivity or reputational harm and requires a detailed justification for any redactions. Additionally, the act mandates reports to Congress and independent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes transparency in drug pricing agreements, potentially lowering costs and protecting patient access to affordable medications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · United States · House May 11, 2026

HR 8726: PARTNERS Act of 2026

The PARTNERS Act of 2026 allows individual states to directly enforce rules governing Medicare Advantage plans sold within their borders. Under this legislation, state officials would have the authority to require insurance companies to comply with federal standards for these plans, rather than relying solely on federal agencies. The bill also mandates that the federal government coordinate its enforcement efforts with states and permits the creation of collaborative agreements to streamline oversight. This change directly affects state regulators, Medicare Advantage insurers, and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by shifting some enforcement responsibilities to the states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill empowers states to enforce Medicare Advantage rules, aiming to improve oversight and protect patient rights in health insurance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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passed · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 8823: Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act

This bill, known as the Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act, aims to improve oversight of healthcare providers who receive payments under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. It directly affects medical service providers, suppliers, and the Department of Labor by introducing a new rule that allows the Secretary of Labor to suspend payments to any provider convicted of fraud in this program, federal health care benefit programs, or similar state programs. The law requires the Secretary to issue regulations to enforce this suspension authority and specifies that the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens provider accountability by suspending payments for convicted fraud, reinforcing legal consequences for criminal acts.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens provider accountability and prevents fraud, protecting patient rights and ensuring integrity in healthcare benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SJRES 192: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".

This joint resolution seeks to reject a specific federal rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the WISeR Model, which was designed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring prior authorization for select Medicare services. If passed, the measure would legally nullify the rule, preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from enforcing the new prior authorization requirements on healthcare providers. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and medical facilities that would otherwise have to comply with these administrative changes. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the legislation aims to stop the implementation of the policy without altering the underlying statute governing Medicare.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill nullifies a rule requiring prior authorization, which limits patient access to services and restricts healthcare program enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2026

S 4512: Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026

The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026 mandates that private health plans, including those under Medicare, ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code, cover specific insulin products starting in 2027 without applying deductibles. For these covered insulins, the law limits patient out-of-pocket costs to the lesser of $35 per 30-day supply or 25% of the negotiated price, while also counting these payments toward annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The legislation defines "selected insulin products" to include at least one dosage form of each type available, such as rapid-acting or long-acting varieties, but does not require coverage for insulins outside this selection. Additionally, the bill establishes a program to reimburse healthcare providers and pharmacies up to $35 for insulin dispensed to uninsured individuals, ensuring they do not hold the patients liable for the cost.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insulin coverage and caps out-of-pocket costs, improving patient access and protecting rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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