A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 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 called the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2025. It requires the Secretary to provide outreach and education so that people with Medicare know they can authorize a family caregiver to access their personal health information through 1-800-MEDICARE. To do this, the individual must complete and submit a specific family caregiver information access authorization form. The bill also directs the Office of the Inspector General to submit and publish best practices to protect individuals against fraud related to this access within one year. Additionally, it requires the Secretary to train 1-800-MEDICARE operators and provide feedback opportunities for family caregivers.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill eases the burden on seniors by streamlining how their caregivers access essential health information.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill simplifies the process for family caregivers to access health information for Medicare beneficiaries through 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates the publication of best practices to protect against health information fraud.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Easier access for family caregivers: Under Section 2, adding subsection (e)(1) to the Social Security Act, the bill provides outreach and education to inform Medicare beneficiaries that they can authorize a family caregiver to access their personal health information through 1-800-MEDICARE by submitting an authorization form. This makes it easier for families to get the information they need to help their loved ones.
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Fraud protection and reporting: Under Section 2, adding subsection (e)(2)(B) and (e)(4), the bill requires outreach on best practices to protect individuals from fraud related to accessing personal health information and mandates that the Office of the Inspector General create and publish these best practices within one year. This helps keep people safe from scammers.
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Better support in other languages: Under Section 2, adding subsection (e)(6), the outreach, education activities, and the authorization form must be made available in non-English languages specified by the Secretary. This ensures that non-English speakers can also understand and use these options.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific negative impacts or burdens explicitly mentioned 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 people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill eases the burden on seniors by streamlining how their caregivers access essential health information. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides outreach and education in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse populations.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill simplifies the process for family caregivers to access health information for Medicare beneficiaries through 1-800-MEDICARE. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill enhances the functionality and outreach of Medicare services for beneficiaries and their caregivers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the publication of best practices to protect against health information fraud.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill strengthens the support structure for Medicare beneficiaries by facilitating communication with their family caregivers.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia