Healthcare (Medicare)

in committee · United States · House Feb 3, 2026

HR 7336: ALS Better Care Act

This bill would improve Medicare reimbursement for specific care services needed by people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). It creates a new payment system for eight key services including specialized physician support, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physical therapy, dietary support, respiratory support, registered nurse support, and coordination of medical equipment. The bill sets a base payment of $800 for these services in 2027, with annual increases based on a specific formula. This directly affects ALS patients who would have better access to these services and the medical facilities that provide them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new Medicare payment system for ALS care services with guaranteed funding increases, directly expanding coverage and access for patients with a serious condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2026

HR 7496: Health Investment Zones Act of 2026

The Health Investment Zones Act of 2026 establishes a program to designate areas with documented health disparities as "Health Investment Zones" to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities. To qualify, areas must meet specific criteria including low income (below 150% of the federal poverty line), high rates of certain health issues, or designation as a health professional shortage area. The bill provides tax incentives for employers hiring workers in these zones, grants to community organizations for health initiatives, student loan repayment for health care workers, and additional Medicare payments for services provided in designated zones. These zones would be designated for 10 years with requirements for sustainability plans and evaluation of health outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax incentives for employers in low-income health disparity zones, targeting tax relief for underserved communities per bill's criteria.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates health disparity zones with tax incentives/grants to improve outcomes and reduce inequities, directly advancing healthcare access in underserved areas per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Healthcare Workforce Medicare Tags Economic Development

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 3164: Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

This bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage, expanding access to testing/treatment during health emergencies and prohibiting balance billing for covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 27, 2025

HR 4231: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for obesity behavioral therapy, increasing access to non-primary care providers and counseling programs per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Dec 10, 2025

HR 4993: Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act of 2025

This bill expands Medicare coverage for home infusion therapy by changing how external infusion pumps and certain non-self-administered drugs are treated as durable medical equipment. It requires that these items be covered if three conditions are met: the drug's FDA-approved instructions require professional supervision, a qualified home infusion supplier administers/supervises the therapy at home, and the drug requires at least 12 infusions annually (either IV/subcutaneous or at pump-requiring rates). The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing long-term infusion drugs and qualified home infusion therapy suppliers. It also mandates that Medicare notify patients about cost-sharing differences between home infusion therapy and other care settings. This policy change clarifies coverage for specific home-based infusion treatments under defined safety and frequency requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for home infusion therapy by requiring coverage under specific conditions, improving patient access to necessary treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4441: Patient Access to Innovative New Technologies Act of 2025

This bill creates a pathway for Medicare to cover innovative medical devices earlier. It allows "breakthrough devices" (new technologies designated for expedited FDA review) to qualify for Medicare's "new technology add-on payment" if approved, cleared, or authorized by the FDA before July 1 of a fiscal year. This means Medicare beneficiaries gain faster access to these new devices, and hospitals receive additional payment for using them, effective in the first quarter after FDA approval. The provision applies to devices approved on or after July 1, 2023, and is designed to be budget-neutral.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables faster Medicare coverage of FDA-approved breakthrough devices, improving patient access to innovative medical technologies and providing additional hospital payments.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAccelerates Medicare coverage for breakthrough medical devices, promoting adoption of new health technology innovations through expedited payment pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 3467: To amend title XVIII to reform the Medicare Advantage program.

HR 3467 reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) by requiring most plans to use fixed payments per member (capitated payments) starting in 2028, with exceptions for existing plans and special needs plans. It modifies payments by reducing blended benchmarks, changing how health status risk adjustments are calculated (using only face-to-face/telehealth diagnoses), and eliminating quality-based payment increases. The bill mandates automatic enrollment into the lowest-premium MA plan for eligible beneficiaries starting in 2028, with a 3-year enrollment lock-in period unless a hardship event occurs. Additionally, it requires MA plans to include hospice care coverage (with a 2028 transition exception) and adds an exception for durable medical equipment and Part D drugs under the Stark Law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces blended benchmarks, eliminates quality-based payments, and mandates lower-premium enrollment, likely restricting Medicare Advantage benefits and program funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2025

HR 2309: Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act

This bill requires states to verify that Medicaid providers and suppliers are not deceased during enrollment and at least quarterly while enrolled. Starting January 1, 2027, states must check the federal Death Master File (a government database of deceased individuals) as part of provider onboarding and revalidation. The law directly affects all entities billing Medicaid for services, aiming to prevent fraud where deceased individuals' identities might be used. It creates a concrete, ongoing screening mechanism to ensure only active providers participate in the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents Medicaid fraud through provider eligibility verification, protecting program integrity and taxpayer funds in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 4002: Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025

Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025 This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that limit, for purposes of Medicare participation, self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals Stark law restrictions on physician-owned hospital self-referrals, enabling expanded Medicare access for patients under the bill's title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Sep 11, 2025

HR 5319: LINE Act

The LINE Act (HR 5319) prohibits the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from sharing Medicaid health data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Specifically, it blocks the disclosure of individually identifiable health information from Medicaid enrollment records (under Title XIX of the Social Security Act) to ICE for immigration enforcement purposes. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees, particularly those who may be immigrants, by preventing their health data from being used in immigration proceedings. The law creates a clear barrier between Medicaid health records and immigration enforcement efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits sharing Medicaid health data with ICE, protecting patient privacy and preventing deterrence from accessing healthcare services for vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBlocks Medicaid health data sharing with ICE, limiting federal immigration enforcement cooperation and protecting immigrant enrollees' privacy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBlocks government data sharing with ICE for immigration enforcement, directly protecting Medicaid enrollee health data privacy - aligns with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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