Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Held at the desk.
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 Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act. It amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to modify the notification requirement for emergency contract health services for certain beneficiaries. Specifically, it establishes a general rule for notification time limits. Under Section 2, the time limitation for notifying the Service of emergency medical care or services received from a non-Service provider or facility shall be 15 days. This general rule applies except as provided for elderly or disabled Indians. The bill was passed by the Senate on September 30, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Specifically designed to streamline and clarify payment for emergency health services for Indians.
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Clarifies notification requirements for emergency medical care reimbursement for Native Americans.
- Scored +2
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Provides a separate designation for elderly Indians regarding emergency care notification.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2 establishes a clear 15-day time limitation for notifying the Service of emergency medical care or services received from a non-Service provider or in a non-Service facility. This provides a clear and explicit timeframe for individuals receiving emergency care.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions identifying 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? — Specifically designed to streamline and clarify payment for emergency health services for Indians. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Creates a specific designation for disabled Indians in the notification process. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Provides a separate designation for elderly Indians regarding emergency care notification. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Helps ensure payment for emergency care for eligible Native Americans. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Potentially helps those in remote areas accessing non-Service emergency facilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Clarifies notification requirements for emergency medical care reimbursement for Native Americans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Addresses specific healthcare administrative hurdles for Native American populations. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Maintains a separate designation for disabled Indians regarding notification requirements.
The version one chamber actually passed
What changed from Reported to Senate: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- 10/5/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 9/30/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5298; text: CR S5298)
- 9/23/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-152.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 681.
- 8/5/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/4/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada