Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 aims to transform the current Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) into a new Data-driven Performance Payment System (DPPS) effective January 1, 2027. The legislation reforms how adjustment factors are applied to Medicare physician payments starting in 2028. It introduces new rules for performance thresholds, including a temporary extension of special rules through 2033. The bill also establishes a process for the Comptroller General to recommend a replacement performance threshold methodology. Finally, it creates a system to provide lump-sum incentive payments to under-resourced small practices to assist in quality improvement and value-based care.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides lump-sum incentive payments to small practices of 15 or fewer professionals to help them implement technology and improve care management.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small practice owners can receive lump-sum payments to assist with care management and electronic health record technology.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes incentive payments for small practices located in rural areas to help improve local care management.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection Against Payment Reductions for Lack of Feedback: DPPS eligible professionals will not be subject to certain negative adjustment factors if they do not receive timely feedback regarding their performance during a quarter. (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(iii)(III))
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Stability in Patient Costs: The bill includes a "hold harmless" provision ensuring that patient coinsurance and deductible expenses are computed as if the update to the conversion factor were not subject to the new adjustment factors. (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(iii)(IV))
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Support for Small and Under-resourced Practices: Small practices (defined as 15 or fewer professionals) can receive lump-sum incentive payments to help them improve care management, address health-social needs, and implement electronic health record technology. (Section 2(e)(i))
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Priority for Rural and Underserved Areas: The Secretary has the authority to prioritize incentive payments for small practices located in rural areas, health professional shortage areas, or medically underserved areas. (Section 2(e)(iii))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Payment Reductions for Lower Performance: Professionals with a composite performance score below a specific threshold may receive a DPPS adjustment factor of 0.75, or as low as 0.5 for those treated as achieving the lowest potential score. (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(ii))
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Requirement for New Performance Threshold Methodologies: The Secretary must eventually move away from the current mean or median threshold system to a new methodology based on recommendations from the Comptroller General. (Section 2(c)(3)(vi))
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 business owners be better off under this? — Small practice owners can receive lump-sum payments to assist with care management and electronic health record technology. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes incentive payments for small practices located in rural areas to help improve local care management.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill allows the Secretary to prioritize incentive payments for small practices in rural, shortage, or medically underserved areas to improve care. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill establishes a new system for incentive payments to under-resourced small practices to improve quality and value-based care.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides lump-sum incentive payments to small practices of 15 or fewer professionals to help them implement technology and improve care management.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill encourages small practices to address health-related social needs through incentive payments.
- 7/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York