Healthcare (Medicare)

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3951: Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026, would give the President the authority to reduce government spending to eliminate a projected budget deficit. It allows the President to decline to spend certain discretionary funds, excluding Medicare and Social Security benefits, if a deficit is anticipated for a fiscal year. The decision to withhold these funds would be made in consultation with the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget. This provision would operate outside the usual rules governing how the President handles unspent government funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by authorizing deficit reduction through discretionary spending cuts, aligning with balanced budget goals.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows President to cut discretionary funds excluding Medicare/Social Security, creating potential budget pressure on healthcare programs despite explicit exemptions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Medicare

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 4085: Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026, would prohibit Medicare from paying hospitals and skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, or corporations owned by private equity funds. The law defines ownership control as holding 10 percent or more of voting securities and includes provisions for a three-year transition period for existing facilities before the ban takes full effect. Facilities found in violation would face penalties, and the owning firms would be held jointly and severally liable for those penalties. The measure aims to restrict investment by specific financial entities in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare funding.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts Medicare payments to facilities owned by private equity, limiting healthcare access and reducing available services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 79: Freedom from Mandates Act

Freedom from Mandates Act This bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19. Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees). Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated. HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareNullifies federal vaccine mandates for employees/contractors, restricting public health enforcement under HHS and Labor, directly opposing mandatory healthcare protocols.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentNullifies federal vaccine mandates for workers (EOs 14042/14043), removing workplace safety requirements and weakening worker protections under Labor/HHS authority.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2025

HR 1785: Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act

HR 1785, the Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act, requires doctors to have seen Medicare patients in person at least once within the past six months before ordering high-cost durable medical equipment or laboratory tests via telehealth. This applies to services covered under Medicare, directly affecting providers who frequently use telehealth for these specific high-cost items. The bill mandates Medicare contractors to audit providers ordering 90% or more of such equipment or tests via telehealth, and also requires providers to submit their National Provider Identifier (NPI) when billing for telehealth services. These provisions aim to prevent potential fraud by ensuring in-person evaluations precede telehealth orders for expensive medical items.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts telehealth access for high-cost Medicare services by requiring in-person visits first, limiting patient access to telehealth options for durable medical equipment and lab tests.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 746: America First Act

The America First Act (HR 746) would restrict access to numerous federal benefits and programs for certain non-citizens by requiring citizenship verification and denying eligibility to individuals with specific immigration statuses. It affects programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, WIC, school meals, housing assistance, tax credits, and community development funds by denying benefits to people granted parole, temporary protected status (TPS), deferred action (including DACA), asylum, or who are unlawfully present. The bill also reduces funding for schools in "sanctuary jurisdictions" and limits refugee resettlement for certain Haitian immigrants. It mandates that federal agencies verify immigration status before providing benefits and prohibits use of federal funds for services to certain non-citizens.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDenies eligibility for tax credits and federal programs including Medicaid, Medicare, and housing assistance, effectively defunding these services for targeted groups.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school meals and Head Start access for non-citizens, limiting educational program participation and funding eligibility for affected students.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to Medicaid and Medicare for non-citizens with specific immigration statuses, directly limiting healthcare coverage and benefits.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDenies housing assistance to non-citizens with parole, TPS, DACA, and asylum status, directly restricting access to federal housing programs.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts access to Medicaid, Medicare, and other benefits for non-citizens with TPS, DACA, and asylum status, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood Student Health Medicaid Medicare Community Development Property Development DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Work Authorization

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 25: FairTax Act of 2025

The FairTax Act of 2025 would repeal federal income tax, payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and estate and gift taxes, replacing them with a national sales tax. It would impose a 23% tax on the final consumption of goods and services in 2027, with rates adjusting based on federal tax rates. The bill includes a monthly rebate for qualifying families based on the poverty level to offset the tax burden on lower-income households. It would establish a cooperative tax administration system between federal and state governments, with states collecting the tax under certain conditions. The tax would sunset if the 16th Amendment (which allows for income taxes) is not repealed within 7 years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReplaces income/payroll taxes with sales tax while providing rebates for lower-income households, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income and fiscal responsibility indicators.92% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals payroll taxes funding Medicare (explicitly listed), without replacement healthcare funding, implying defunding of a major public health program. Aligns with 'defund public health initiatives' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue Sales Tax Hospitals Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Feb 21, 2025

HR 1476: PLASMA Act

HR 1476, the PLASMA Act, adjusts discount rates for plasma-derived drugs under Medicare Part D starting in 2026. It sets gradually decreasing discount percentages (from 99% down to 90% by 2030) for these specific drugs when beneficiaries reach their annual out-of-pocket spending threshold. The bill directly affects Medicare Part D beneficiaries using plasma-derived biological products (drugs made from human blood or plasma) and the manufacturers of those drugs. Certain drugs for low-income subsidy beneficiaries and small manufacturers are excluded from these discount provisions. The law phases in these changes over several years to align with existing Medicare Part D cost-sharing rules.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill reduces Medicare Part D discounts for plasma drugs (99%→90% by 2030), increasing patient out-of-pocket costs and reducing benefits for beneficiaries using these drugs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 779: Stop Sexually Violent Predators Act

This bill requires states to submit annual lists of individuals convicted of sexually violent offenses and deemed "sexually dangerous" under existing law to the Attorney General. The Attorney General must then review these lists to determine if federal prosecution is warranted. It also blocks Medicaid and Medicare funding for these individuals (unless receiving involuntary treatment in a hospital or nursing facility), directly affecting their access to healthcare coverage. The law targets a specific subset of offenders already classified under current federal standards, with no broader changes to sentencing or general sex offender registration.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill blocks Medicaid/Medicare funding for sexually violent offenders (unless in involuntary treatment), cutting healthcare access that supports rehabilitation, aligning with 'oppose' indicator.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly blocks Medicaid/Medicare funding for targeted individuals, directly restricting healthcare coverage access. No exceptions alter the defunding nature of the provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2793: Retirement Freedom Act

HR 2793, the Retirement Freedom Act, allows Medicare Part A beneficiaries to voluntarily opt out of the program. Individuals who choose to opt out can later rejoin Medicare Part A without penalty or additional requirements, and they will not be required to give up Social Security benefits (Title II) to make this choice. The bill also ensures beneficiaries won't have to repay Medicare Part A payments received before opting out. This change directly affects current Medicare Part A enrollees who wish to explore alternative health coverage options.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows Medicare Part A opt-outs, reducing program participation and weakening public healthcare coverage for beneficiaries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3092: Electrodiagnostic Medicine Patient Protection and Fraud Elimination Act of 2025

This bill requires Medicare to only cover nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography tests at facilities meeting specific quality standards. To qualify, facilities must be accredited by an organization that verifies they have a quality program, use approved equipment, ensure staff have proper training, and interpret results on-site during procedures. Starting 3-4 years after enactment, Medicare will not pay for these services at non-compliant facilities. The bill also establishes an advisory committee to help develop and update these standards, aiming to improve care quality and reduce fraud.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts Medicare coverage to accredited facilities, limiting access at non-compliant sites, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of restricting health coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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