Donald Beyer (D-VA)
Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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, titled the "Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act," aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical diagnoses. It directs the establishment of a comprehensive research and quality improvement program to understand and eliminate diagnostic errors. The legislation creates a system for patients and families to voluntarily report diagnostic errors and near misses to improve public health safety. It also establishes an Interagency Council to coordinate efforts across various federal departments to enhance diagnostic research and clinical practices. Additionally, the bill focuses on standardizing health data to support better research and safety outcomes.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill authorizes significant new funding for research into diagnostic safety, quality improvement, and clinical practice.
- Scored +3
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The inclusion of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the interagency council specifically addresses veteran healthcare quality.
- Scored +2
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Improving diagnostic timeliness and quality can help patients receive more effective care more quickly.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Patient Safety: The bill seeks to assess and understand diagnostic errors and delays to eliminate failures that lead to significant patient harm (Section 3, subsection a).
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Increased Quality and Timeliness of Care: The research program aims to develop evidence-based strategies to improve diagnostic quality and timeliness (Section 3, subsection a, clause 2).
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Empowerment of Patients and Families: A multi-stakeholder advisory committee will include patients and family members with lived experience to ensure the program focuses on outcomes that matter most to them (Section 3, subsection b, clause 4).
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Voice for Patients: The act directs the development of a strategic plan to allow patients, families, and caregivers to voluntarily report their experiences with diagnostic errors and near misses (Section 4, subsection a).
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Protection of Patient Rights: While creating a reporting system, the bill explicitly states that such reporting shall not affect the legal rights of patients or the remedies available to them (Section 4, subsection b, clause 2).
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Data-Driven Improvements: The bill encourages the use of modern technology, such as artificial intelligence and data science, to identify safety signals and improve diagnostic processes (Section 3, subsection b, clause 1; Section 4, subsection c, clause 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Specific Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text focuses on the establishment of programs, research, and reporting mechanisms intended to improve the healthcare system; it does not explicitly list burdens or negative consequences for individuals.
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 put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes significant new funding for research into diagnostic safety, quality improvement, and clinical practice. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Improving diagnostic timeliness and quality can help patients receive more effective care more quickly.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The inclusion of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the interagency council specifically addresses veteran healthcare quality. Would children be better off under this? — The bill's focus on improving diagnostic quality and reducing errors will benefit all age groups, including children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improving diagnostic accuracy can reduce the risk of costly and harmful medical errors for low-income families.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill includes the Department of Veterans Affairs in the interagency council to improve diagnostic safety for veterans.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to reduce health care waste resulting from diagnostic errors, which could improve economic efficiency.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By reducing health care waste and diagnostic errors, the bill may help reduce the financial burden of medical complications on families.
- 7/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2 Cosponsors 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.
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey