Healthcare (Medicare)

in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6147: Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act

This bill creates a new Medicare buy-in option for eligible retired or disabled first responders aged 50-64. It directly affects qualified law enforcement officers, certain emergency medical personnel, and federal firefighters who have separated from service due to retirement or disability. Key provisions include establishing a premium calculated based on Medicare's average costs, coordinating enrollment periods with the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and ensuring coverage counts as "minimum essential coverage" for tax purposes. The bill also prohibits Medicaid beneficiaries from using this option and requires outreach efforts (2027-2029) to help eligible individuals enroll.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new Medicare buy-in option expanding health coverage for eligible first responders, directly increasing access through ACA coordination and premium structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 1, 2025

HR 2538: CARE Act of 2025

This bill creates a new Medicare payment model (the "Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies Model") that allows Medicare Part B to cover ground ambulance services provided in response to emergency medical calls *without* a full transport. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries receiving emergency ambulance care and ambulance providers, ensuring they are paid for services like dispatch and initial response that don't include transport. The model requires payment rates to align with standard transport payments, mandates compliance with state protocols, and operates for a 5-year test period. A report by the Comptroller General will evaluate the model's impact on beneficiary access, outcomes, and regional differences after 4 years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage to include ambulance dispatch and initial response without transport, improving access to emergency care and ensuring payment for providers, directly advancing healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Tags Public Safety

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in committee · United States · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 2491: ABC Act

The ABC Act (HR 2491) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration to review and simplify eligibility processes, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs. It specifically aims to reduce duplicate paperwork for family caregivers - defined as individuals supporting people with disabilities or health needs - and improve accessibility through features like ADA-compliant websites, translation services, and reduced call wait times. The agencies must gather input from caregivers and organizations, then implement changes to streamline interactions. Within two years, they must report findings and proposed actions to Congress, with follow-up reports every two years. This procedural bill focuses on administrative improvements, not new benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSimplifies Medicare/Medicaid eligibility processes and reduces caregiver paperwork, directly improving access to healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 2936: Addressing Boarding and Crowding in the Emergency Department

This bill, HR 2936 (the ABC-ED Act), aims to reduce emergency department crowding by requiring real-time tracking of hospital bed capacity and related metrics like patient wait times. It allows federal grants to modernize public health data systems that monitor emergency department boarding rates, bed availability, and ambulance offload times, with results displayed on a public dashboard (while protecting privacy). The bill also adds two new Medicare Innovation Center pilot programs: one focused on improving care for older adults (through staffing, infrastructure, and senior care coordination) and another for psychiatric crisis care (including dedicated units and faster facility transfers). Finally, it mandates a one-year study by the Government Accountability Office to evaluate best practices for these data systems and their impact on emergency department efficiency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds real-time tracking systems and Medicare pilots to reduce ED crowding, improving patient access to emergency care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 11, 2025

HR 2045: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025

This bill would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries 65 and older (and some younger people with disabilities), effective January 1, 2026. It would provide 100% coverage for preventative dental services in 2026, with basic and major dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2029. Vision benefits would include 80% coverage for annual eye exams and specific limits on eyeglasses, frames, and contact lenses ($100 per year for lenses, $100 every two years for frames, $200 every two years for contacts). Hearing services would include 80% coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids, with a limit of one hearing aid per ear every 48 months. The bill also adds oral health professionals to the United States Preventive Services Task Force to help guide coverage decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing services, increasing access to preventative and basic care for seniors and disabled beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2757: Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025

This bill expands Medicare coverage to include audiology services provided by qualified audiologists without requiring a physician referral or supervision. Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare will pay 80% of the standard rate for these services, which include hearing and balance assessments and treatment. It specifically allows audiologists to legally provide these services under state law, as long as they are covered if provided by a physician. The bill does not expand the types of services covered beyond those already payable under Medicare as of December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for audiology services without physician referral, improving access and removing barriers for beneficiaries under Medicare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2902: SOAR Act of 2025

Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025 or the SOAR Act of 2025 This bill establishes certain requirements with respect to the payment and provision of supplemental oxygen and related services under Medicare. For example, the bill provides for separate payments, indexed to inflation, of oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services under Medicare (rather than under the competitive acquisition program). It also specifically covers services that are provided by respiratory therapists under Medicare and provides for an additional payment adjustment for these services. Additionally, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop an electronic template for providers to use when prescribing oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services; and (2) establishes certain rights for beneficiaries receiving these items and services, such as the right to choose their suppliers and to receive clear communications and be informed about the services provided.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes separate Medicare payments for oxygen services with inflation indexing, improving patient access to supplemental oxygen care and covering respiratory therapist services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 2148: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

This bill extends medical coverage for 180 days after family caregivers stop providing personal care to veterans (unless dismissed for fraud), and adds employment support during this transition period. It provides up to $1,000 in reimbursement for certification fees, free training modules, and access to programs like Military OneSource and Veterans' Employment Services. The bill also requires studies on creating returnship programs for caregivers rejoining the workforce and on hiring former caregivers at VA facilities. Additionally, it mandates reports on retirement plan options for caregivers and VA efforts supporting their transition away from caregiving. The bill directly affects family caregivers designated under VA's program who are ending their caregiving role.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical coverage for caregivers and provides reimbursement for healthcare-related certifications, directly advancing healthcare access for veterans and caregivers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $1,000 certification reimbursement, free training, and employment services to aid caregiver reemployment, strengthening workforce transition support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends medical coverage for caregivers, provides employment support and training reimbursement, directly enhancing veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Professional Licensing Retirement Benefits Workforce Development Military Families Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 4623: Plain Prescription Prices Act

HR 4623, the Plain Prescription Prices Act, requires drug companies to include the current list price for a typical 30-day supply or treatment course in all direct-to-consumer television ads for prescription drugs covered by Medicare (Part D) or Medicaid. This applies to ads aired on broadcast, cable, streaming, or satellite TV. The bill mandates that the displayed price must be truthful and reflect the list price as of the first day of the quarter the ad runs. The goal is to provide consumers with clear, upfront pricing information when viewing drug advertisements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparent drug pricing in Medicare/Medicaid ads, improving consumer access to cost information and promoting informed healthcare decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House May 1, 2025

HR 3134: Emergency Care Improvement Act

HR 3134, the Emergency Care Improvement Act, allows Medicare and Medicaid to reimburse freestanding emergency centers (FECs) for specific emergency services. The bill defines FECs as 24/7 facilities meeting state emergency care standards, with physician staffing, hospital referral agreements, and quality programs - currently operating in over 118 locations, primarily in Texas. It amends coverage rules to include FECs under Medicare Part B and Medicaid for "specified emergency services" (excluding certain evaluation codes), sets payment rates based on outpatient department standards, and extends EMTALA emergency care laws to cover these centers. This policy change directly affects FECs and Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries by enabling reimbursement for emergency care previously excluded from coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare/Medicaid coverage to freestanding emergency centers, improving access to emergency care services for patients in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare Tags Emergency Management

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