A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This amendment focuses on clarifying payment rules for certain manual wheelchairs under Medicare Part B. The bill requires the Secretary to create separate HCPCS codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on whether the base is made of titanium or carbon fiber. It also establishes rules for payments to suppliers for these specific wheelchairs. Additionally, the bill addresses how suppliers may charge individuals and includes provisions for potential beneficiary protections.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill formalizes the procurement of high-end ultralightweight wheelchair materials like titanium and carbon fiber within the Medicare system.
- Scored +4
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill creates a formal mechanism for beneficiaries to access specialized ultralightweight mobility equipment through Medicare.
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill establishes specific coding and payment structures for specialized ultralightweight wheelchairs to facilitate their availability.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill allows suppliers to charge individuals the difference between Medicare payments and actual costs, which could create financial burdens.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarified Payment for Specialized Materials: The bill ensures that when an individual purchases or rents an ultralightweight manual wheelchair with a titanium or carbon fiber base, the supplier receives payment in a specific frequency and amount (Section 2, paragraph (23)(B)(i)).
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Financial Transparency: The Secretary has the authority to require suppliers to issue a notice to individuals before a purchase or rental, which helps inform them of potential financial liability (Section 2, paragraph (23)(B)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs: A supplier is permitted to charge an individual the difference between the Medicare payment amount and the supplier's actual charge for an ultralightweight manual wheelchair (Section 2, paragraph (23)(B)(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? — The bill formalizes the procurement of high-end ultralightweight wheelchair materials like titanium and carbon fiber within the Medicare system. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides a structured payment framework for Medicare beneficiaries requiring specialized mobility equipment. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill allows suppliers to charge individuals the difference between Medicare payments and actual costs, which could create financial burdens.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes specific coding and payment structures for specialized ultralightweight wheelchairs to facilitate their availability. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill clarifies payment rules for specialized ultralightweight wheelchairs under Medicare Part B.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill creates a formal mechanism for beneficiaries to access specialized ultralightweight mobility equipment through Medicare.
- 1/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois