A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 23 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, known as the "Facilitating Access to Service and Timely Repairs for Wheelchairs Act," seeks to amend the Social Security Act. It aims to prohibit Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization for repairs to complex rehabilitation technology. This prohibition includes removing prescription and medical documentation requirements for these specific repairs. The changes would apply to plan years starting after January 1 following the bill's enactment. The scope covers certain power and manual wheelchairs along with their related accessories.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Directly targets and removes barriers to essential equipment maintenance for wheelchair users.
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors are primary users of Medicare Advantage and complex rehabilitation technology.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees are the primary population using Medicare Advantage services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Removal of administrative barriers for repairs: Medicare Advantage plans would be prohibited from imposing prior authorization, prescription, or medical documentation requirements for repairs to complex rehabilitation technology. This means individuals would not have to wait for plan approval to fix their equipment. (Section 2, Clause (I))
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Coverage of specific mobility equipment: The benefit applies to certain complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs, complex rehabilitative manual wheelchairs, and certain manual wheelchairs, including their related accessories. (Section 2, Clause (III))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Continued requirements for new equipment: The bill does not prohibit prior authorization for the initial evaluation of medical necessity for the technology, nor does it prohibit authorization for replacing technology due to loss, irreparable damage, or reaching a certain age/usage period. (Section 2, Clause (II))
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 with disabilities be better off under this? — Directly targets and removes barriers to essential equipment maintenance for wheelchair users. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees are the primary population using Medicare Advantage services. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors are primary users of Medicare Advantage and complex rehabilitation technology. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Reduces administrative burdens and potential delays for those who cannot afford out-of-pocket repairs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reduces administrative hurdles for those with Medicare Advantage plans. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Many veterans use complex rehab technology and Medicare Advantage plans. Would children be better off under this? — Helps children who use complex rehabilitative wheelchairs get faster repairs. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Helps middle-aged adults who use complex rehabilitative wheelchairs get faster repairs. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Helps young adults who use complex rehabilitative wheelchairs get faster repairs. Would high-income households be better off under this? — General improvement in healthcare access for those using these devices.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Directly benefits individuals relying on complex rehabilitation wheelchairs by ensuring timely repairs.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases access to essential mobility equipment by removing prior authorization requirements for repairs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Reduces administrative barriers for Medicare Advantage consumers seeking essential equipment repairs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Amends the Social Security Act to impose new restrictions on Medicare Advantage plans.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/18/2026
- 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.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Steny HoyerDemocrat · Maryland
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Analilia MejiaDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Lori TrahanDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina