The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program to improve how states identify and recover improper payments. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish clear expiration dates for state exceptions to the program, mandate detailed annual reports on audit results, and ensure managed care organizations are included in these reviews. Additionally, the bill directs the agency to study barriers preventing states from participating and to launch a five-year demonstration project aimed at increasing state engagement. The legislation also extends the standard audit period to allow reviews of payments made over the previous four fiscal years.
The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a $5,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries starting in 2028, after which Medicare will cover 100% of additional covered expenses. This protection applies to all individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B and includes tracking mechanisms to notify patients and providers once the cap is reached. The bill also modifies eligibility rules for low-income assistance programs, aligning income thresholds between Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid and expanding data sharing to streamline enrollment for qualifying beneficiaries.
This Senate resolution honors the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which established that states must offer community-based services to individuals with disabilities rather than forcing them into institutions. The bill affirms the legal requirement that people with disabilities should live in the most integrated settings possible and salutes those who have expanded home and community support services. It also condemns a recent Department of Justice opinion that challenges this integration mandate and calls on the department to rescind that opinion. Additionally, the resolution criticizes cuts to the Medicaid program and urges Congress to restore funding to protect the health and independence of people with disabilities.
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The Prices on the Wall Act of 2026 requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, laboratories, and imaging providers across the United States to display specific pricing information on their walls starting in 2028. This law mandates that these facilities post discounted cash prices for a list of services designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or if those prices are unavailable, the median amount charged to self-pay patients over the previous three years. The displayed prices must be located in areas specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure patients can see costs before receiving care. By making these financial details publicly visible, the bill aims to increase price transparency for consumers seeking scheduled medical services.
This joint resolution seeks to officially disapprove a specific rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the implementation of prior authorization for certain Medicare services. The proposed action would prevent the rule, known as the WISeR Model, from taking effect, thereby stopping the new requirements from being enforced. If passed, the resolution would nullify the regulation and maintain the status quo for the affected healthcare services.
This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that Medicaid is a vital lifeline for the health care of millions of Americans, including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families. It highlights concerns that recent legislation will cut funding and impose new eligibility rules and paperwork requirements, which could negatively impact access to care. While the bill itself does not change laws or allocate money, it urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide immediate guidance to state agencies and enrollees regarding these upcoming changes.
The LIFT the BAR Act aims to restore access to federal benefits for lawfully present noncitizens by repealing several restrictions imposed by the 1996 welfare reform law and a 2024 reconciliation bill. Specifically, it would allow eligible noncitizens to receive SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and child nutrition programs, while also updating legal terminology to refer to "noncitizens" rather than "aliens" in relevant statutes. The legislation includes provisions to ensure these individuals can qualify for premium tax credits and would require federal agencies to issue implementation guidance within 180 days of enactment.
This bill prohibits the use of federal money, specifically from the Judgment Fund, to pay legal settlements for the President or to support any commissions created for his benefit. It directs $1.776 billion from the Treasury to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the Medicaid program. The funds are intended to reverse specific eligibility and funding cuts previously enacted by another law.
The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program to better detect and recover incorrect payments. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish clear communication rules for when state program exceptions expire and mandates detailed annual reports on audit results, including amounts recovered and underpayments. The bill also expands the program to include Medicaid managed care plans, requiring these organizations to allow audits of their claims and cooperate with recovery efforts. Additionally, the legislation directs the government to study barriers preventing states from participating in the program and to run a five-year demonstration project to increase state involvement. Finally, it clarifies that audits can review payments made up to four years prior to the current fiscal year.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a data-sharing agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent duplicate or incorrect medical billing for veterans. Under this arrangement, the two agencies would exchange information about veterans who are enrolled in both the VA system and Medicare, Medicaid, or Medicare Advantage plans to identify and stop improper payments. The agreement would last for two years, and the VA must report to Congress on how effective the data sharing is at reducing billing errors.