Healthcare (Insurance)

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9675: Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026

The Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026 directs federal funding to states to improve access to opioid addiction treatment for individuals who lack health insurance or face coverage barriers. These grants must be managed by state substance abuse agencies and used to provide evidence-based services, such as medication-assisted treatment, based on medical recommendations. The legislation explicitly limits grant funds to cover no more than 60 consecutive days of treatment per person and requires states to report data on treatment outcomes and usage. Additionally, the bill mandates that the federal government evaluate the program's effectiveness and share results publicly while offering technical assistance to participating states.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs federal funding to states to expand access to opioid addiction treatment, directly increasing government spending on public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs federal funding to expand access to opioid addiction treatment and evidence-based services for uninsured individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9702: Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026

The Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026 creates a new public health plan called the Medicare Exchange health plan, which would be available to individuals and small groups starting in 2028. The bill establishes two dedicated funds to finance the plan's creation and technology updates, appropriating $1 billion each for fiscal year 2027. Under the plan, the government would set premiums to cover full costs, and reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals would generally match current Medicare rates, with potential increases for rural areas. The legislation also requires health care providers who participate in traditional Medicare to also accept patients in this new plan, while prohibiting insurers from placing additional restrictions on enrollees. Additionally, the bill expands tax credits for people buying insurance, fixes the "family glitch" that currently limits subsidy eligibility for some workers, and authorizes the government to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 billion in dedicated funds to finance the new Medicare-X plan, directly advancing state budget allocations for healthcare.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new public health plan, appropriates $2B in funding, and aims to expand coverage options for individuals and small groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9798: Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act

The Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act would allow certain employer-sponsored group health plans to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's requirement to cover specific Essential Health Benefits. This exemption applies to plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and would take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2028. While exempt from those specific coverage mandates, the bill explicitly states that employers must still comply with other federal rules, including those regarding mental health parity, nondiscrimination, and preventive services. To ensure transparency, employers claiming this exemption must annually inform their employees about the benefits included in their plan and identify any Essential Health Benefits that are not covered.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows employers to opt out of ACA Essential Health Benefits, restricting coverage mandates and limiting patient access to required health services.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill allows employers to opt out of ACA Essential Health Benefits, reducing mandated worker health coverage protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9682: Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026

The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 establishes a federal program to eliminate hepatitis C by creating a subscription model that allows the government to purchase antiviral drugs directly from manufacturers and distribute them at no cost to specific patient groups. These groups include individuals in Medicaid or CHIP programs, those without health insurance, patients in correctional facilities, and those receiving care through the Indian Health Service. The bill also expands Medicare coverage by removing deductibles and copayments for hepatitis C treatments between 2028 and 2032. To support these efforts, the legislation authorizes funding for state grants to improve screening and treatment access, mandates the creation of a national strategy and performance dashboard, and requires coordination with various federal agencies and stakeholders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a federal program to eliminate hepatitis C, expands Medicare coverage, and provides free antiviral drugs to vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9644: Medicare Advantage MLR Transparency Act

The Medicare Advantage MLR Transparency Act requires insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage plans to publicly disclose detailed financial data starting in 2029. Under this bill, each plan must report how much total revenue it collects and specifically how much is spent on actual medical claims versus administrative overhead costs. The law also mandates that this financial information be presented in a consumer-friendly format and aligns the way benefits are displayed with standards used by other health insurance plans. These changes aim to give Medicare beneficiaries clearer insight into how their premiums are utilized by the plans they choose.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances transparency in Medicare Advantage plans, helping consumers make informed decisions and protecting patient rights through better financial disclosure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9645: Health Care Price Certainty for All Americans Act

This bill requires hospitals, laboratories, imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers to publicly post detailed price lists for their services, including standard charges, negotiated rates, and discounted cash prices, starting in 2027. It also mandates that private health insurance plans provide consumers with cost-sharing estimates and publish quarterly data on payment rates to doctors and pharmacies beginning in 2029. Additionally, the legislation requires Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan sponsors to report ownership details for providers and pharmacies they control, while establishing civil penalties for entities that fail to comply with these transparency rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances transparency and patient access to pricing information, empowering consumers to make informed healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4924: Preserving Patient Access Act

The Preserving Patient Access Act requires health insurance plans to grant special enrollment periods when they remove a doctor from their network or stop covering a specific prescription drug that a patient has used recently. Under this bill, Medicare Advantage and individual market plans must allow individuals to join or switch plans within the same year if their current provider becomes out-of-network after a visit within the last two years or if a covered medication is dropped from the formulary within the last six months. These protections apply to both Medicare Advantage plans and private individual market plans, ensuring that patients can maintain access to their preferred doctors and medications without waiting for the annual open enrollment window. The changes are scheduled to take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient access by requiring special enrollment periods when providers are removed or drugs are dropped, preventing loss of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9532: No Medicare Clawbacks Act of 2026

The No Medicare Clawbacks Act of 2026 prevents group health plans from taking back money they have already paid for medical services if a patient later becomes eligible for Medicare benefits. This rule applies specifically when the medical care was provided during a period of retroactive Medicare coverage and the patient was current on their required health plan contributions at the time of service. By amending the Social Security Act, the bill ensures that individuals do not face financial penalties for receiving care before their Medicare eligibility is officially recognized. The legislation directly affects employers offering group health plans and their employees who might otherwise face recouped payments due to delayed Medicare enrollment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents financial clawbacks for patients, protecting access to care and reducing financial penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 8840: Fair Care Act of 2026

The Fair Care Act of 2026 is a comprehensive legislative proposal designed to lower health care costs and improve access by modernizing health savings accounts, expanding insurance coverage options, and increasing transparency in the health care market. The bill directly affects individuals, employers, health insurance issuers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturers through provisions that allow unused premium tax credits to be deposited into savings accounts, introduce new "copper" insurance plans, and require greater price transparency for hospitals and pharmacy benefit managers. Key mechanisms include the repeal of the employer health insurance mandate, the establishment of a federal reinsurance pool for high-risk individuals, the creation of a conditional approval pathway for drugs treating rare and serious diseases, and the imposition of congressional review procedures for major Food and Drug Administration rules. Additionally, the legislation seeks to promote competition by banning anticompetitive contract terms, regulating co-pay contributions from drug manufacturers, and enforcing stricter price reporting requirements for shoppable medical procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows unused premium tax credits to be deposited into savings accounts, providing tax relief and financial support to individuals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to lower costs, improve access, and expand coverage options, directly supporting healthcare goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Jun 25, 2026

HR 9455: SMOOTH Payments Act

The SMOOTH Payments Act modifies federal tax rules to allow health insurance plans that offer a specific payment option to qualify for subsidies, whereas currently only catastrophic plans are excluded. Under this proposal, eligible plans would let enrollees choose between paying zero cost-sharing at the time of service or paying monthly, capped amounts instead. This change directly affects individuals enrolled in qualified health plans by expanding the range of plans that can receive financial assistance starting in 2027. The bill aims to simplify out-of-pocket expenses by enabling a new payment structure similar to existing capitated models.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands subsidy eligibility to more health plans, improving access and financial support for enrollees.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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