Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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
The Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 aims to require Federal law enforcement and prison officials to provide immediate medical help to people in custody experiencing medical distress. It defines medical distress to include issues like breathing difficulties. Under this bill, it would be unlawful for covered officials to negligently fail to act if that failure results in unnecessary pain, injury, or death. Violators could face fines, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The act also establishes an investigation process through the appropriate Inspector General and allows for state civil enforcement. Additionally, agency heads would be required to provide training on providing medical assistance.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill mandates immediate medical attention for individuals in federal custody experiencing medical distress.
- Scored +6
Does this change how police departments operate?
It increases accountability for federal law enforcement and prison officials regarding medical neglect.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill creates a confidential complaint process and requires Inspector General investigations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Health and Safety: The bill creates a legal requirement for covered officials to obtain or provide immediate medical attention to individuals displaying medical distress, such as breathing difficulties (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Accountability for Negligence: It establishes that it is unlawful for a covered official to negligently fail to provide medical care if the individual suffers unnecessary pain, injury, or death (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Legal Recourse for Victims: State attorneys general or their designated entities may bring civil actions in federal district court to obtain equitable and declaratory relief if a resident is aggrieved by a violation (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Investigation and Oversight: The appropriate Inspector General is required to investigate instances where a failure to provide medical attention results in unnecessary pain, injury, or death (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Confidential Reporting: Federal agencies must establish a process for individuals to confidentially submit complaints to the Inspector General regarding these incidents (Section 2(c)(3)).
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Improved Preparedness through Training: Agency heads are required to provide training to covered officials on how to obtain or provide medical assistance to those in distress (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal Penalties for Officials: Covered officials who are found to have negligently failed to provide medical attention could face fines and imprisonment for up to one year (Section 2(b)(2)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — It provides legal recourse and investigation mechanisms for individuals harmed by official negligence. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill creates a confidential complaint process and requires Inspector General investigations. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — It empowers State attorneys general to bring civil actions regarding federal official misconduct. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight and criminal penalties for federal law enforcement and prison officials.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates immediate medical attention for individuals in federal custody experiencing medical distress.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — It increases accountability for federal law enforcement and prison officials regarding medical neglect.
- 5/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
7 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.
- 119-HR-3603: Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025
- 119-HR-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-S-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 118-HR-10295 (not yet synced)
- 118-S-5394 (not yet synced)
- 117-HR-3117 (not yet synced)
- 117-S-1573 (not yet synced)
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont