Mike Kennedy (R-UT)
Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Awaiting Senate
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
H.R. 8658 is known as the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act. It amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The bill modifies the notification requirement for emergency contract health services for certain beneficiaries. Specifically, it sets a time limitation of not less than 15 days for notifying the Service of emergency medical care or services received from a non-Service provider or facility. The bill passed the House of Representatives on September 14, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Directly benefits Native Americans by extending notification time limits for emergency health service payments.
- Scored +4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Protects seniors by modifying emergency care notification requirements.
- Scored +4
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Protects disabled individuals from potentially losing emergency care payment due to notification deadlines.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2: This section establishes a notification time limitation of not less than 15 days for notifying the Service regarding emergency medical care or services received from a non-Service provider or facility. This could be positive because it gives individuals more time to meet the notification condition for payment.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2: The provided text does not contain any specific provisions outlining negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
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 Native Americans be better off under this? — Directly benefits Native Americans by extending notification time limits for emergency health service payments. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Protects disabled individuals from potentially losing emergency care payment due to notification deadlines. Would retired people be better off under this? — Provides a more flexible notification window for elderly retirees receiving emergency care. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects seniors by modifying emergency care notification requirements. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Reduces financial risk for low-income individuals who may struggle with strict notification deadlines for medical payments. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Benefits residents of rural areas where IHS services are frequently utilized.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Ensures a minimum 15-day notification window for emergency care payment, reducing barriers to receiving emergency services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Specifically improves healthcare administrative access for Native American populations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Positive impact on health service administration in often rural Native American communities.
- 9/15/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 9/14/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5576)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5576)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8658.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5576-5578)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 8/27/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-778, Part I.
- Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 679.
- 7/15/2026
- Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 5/21/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 5/4/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado