A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Guaranteeing Access to supplemental Plans Act or the GAP Act. It amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act regarding medicare supplemental health insurance policies. Starting on January 1, 2028, it creates an annual enrollment period for these policies. During this period, any individual eligible for medicare benefits can enroll in any policy offered by an issuer. Issuers are prohibited from denying policies, conditioning them, or charging different prices based on health status, medical condition, claims experience, or receipt of health care. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must update Medicare informational notices within 30 days of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill benefits seniors by establishing an annual enrollment period for Medicare supplemental policies with guaranteed issue protections regardless of health status.
- Scored +7
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees gain robust protections against coverage denials and discriminatory pricing based on medical conditions when purchasing Medicare supplemental insurance.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?
The GAP Act establishes a guaranteed issue annual enrollment period for Medicare supplemental policies, improving access and protections for beneficiaries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Annual Enrollment Period and Guaranteed Issue: Section 2 adds a new subsection to section 1882 of the Social Security Act that establishes a general enrollment period for medicare supplemental policies starting January 1, 2028. During this time, issuers cannot deny, condition, or price policies differently based on an individual's health status, medical condition, claims experience, or receipt of health care. This is a positive outcome because it protects people from being discriminated against or rejected due to their health when trying to get supplemental coverage.
-
Informed Public: Section 2 also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update notices like "Medicare & You" and "Welcome to Medicare" within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This benefits the public by ensuring that people receive timely and updated information about the new enrollment rules directly through standard Medicare communications.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no explicit negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees gain robust protections against coverage denials and discriminatory pricing based on medical conditions when purchasing Medicare supplemental insurance. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill benefits seniors by establishing an annual enrollment period for Medicare supplemental policies with guaranteed issue protections regardless of health status.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By prohibiting issuers from denying or conditioning supplemental policies based on health status, the bill improves overall healthcare coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The GAP Act establishes a guaranteed issue annual enrollment period for Medicare supplemental policies, improving access and protections for beneficiaries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update Medicare informational notices within 30 days of enactment to keep the public informed.
- 10/5/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House