A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 13.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Improving Home Dialysis Act of 2026 aims to amend the Social Security Act to include new services under the Medicare program. It adds staff-assisted home dialysis respite care and renal mental health services to the list of self-care home dialysis support services. These new services would become available starting January 1, 2028. The bill also establishes specific payment adjustments for these services. It sets limits on the number of sessions that can be covered for each service.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill improves access to critical dialysis support through new coverage for respite care and mental health services.
- Scored +6
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill provides for renal mental health services for patients initiating home dialysis.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides essential support services for individuals managing chronic kidney disease through home dialysis.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill implements lower payment adjustments for services furnished in non-rural areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Staff-assisted home dialysis respite care: Beginning January 1, 2028, patients can receive dialysis services from qualified personnel when they are temporarily unable to dialyze at home independently. This applies to the 30-day period after starting home dialysis or at any time if a physical limitation causes the inability to dialyze (Section 2(a)).
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Renal mental health services: Beginning January 1, 2028, patients dialyzing at home can access specific mental health services. This service is available during the 60-day period starting from the first day the patient initiates home dialysis (Section 2(a)).
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Payment adjustments: The bill includes payment adjustments for these new services to ensure they are covered under the Medicare program (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Session limits on respite care: Payment adjustments for staff-assisted home dialysis respite care cannot be made for more than 20 sessions in a calendar year (Section 2(b)).
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Session limits on mental health services: Payment adjustments for renal mental health services cannot be made for more than 4 sessions occurring during the 60-day period after initiating home dialysis (Section 2(b)).
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Day of use restrictions: No payment adjustments can be made for either respite care or mental health services on a day when the individual was not dialyzing at home (Section 2(b)).
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.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill improves access to critical dialysis support through new coverage for respite care and mental health services. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides for renal mental health services for patients initiating home dialysis. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands Medicare coverage to include staff-assisted home dialysis respite care and renal mental health services.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides essential support services for individuals managing chronic kidney disease through home dialysis. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill expands Medicare benefits which primarily serve the elderly population requiring dialysis. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides coverage for essential health services that could otherwise be a significant financial burden. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill implements lower payment adjustments for services furnished in non-rural areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill reduces out-of-pocket burdens for home dialysis patients by providing Medicare coverage for support services.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 13.
- 5/19/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House
Mike FloodRepublican · Nebraska
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia