A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
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 provided text is the text of S. 5428, known as the Stop the Wait Act of 2026. This bill amends titles II and XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance benefits. It also phases down the waiting period for disability insurance benefits for applications filed between the enactment date and January 1, 2031. Additionally, the bill provides Medicare eligibility for certain individuals during the waiting period for social security disability insurance benefits. Finally, it outlines special enrollment periods and coverage applications for certain individuals without minimum essential coverage.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +9
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The legislation directly eliminates and phases down waiting periods for disability insurance and Medicare for individuals with disabilities.
- Scored +8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill expands healthcare access by providing Medicare eligibility and special enrollment periods during the social security disability waiting period.
- Scored +8
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill strengthens protections and support for individuals with disabilities by eliminating waiting periods for benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Elimination of the Disability Waiting Period: Section 2 amends the Social Security Act to completely eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance benefits, taking effect on January 1, 2031. This change is positive because individuals with disabilities will no longer have to wait to receive the benefits they are entitled to.
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Phase-Down of the Waiting Period: Section 2(b) creates a phase-down of the waiting period for disability insurance benefits for applications filed on or after the enactment date and before January 1, 2031. This is positive because it progressively shortens the time individuals have to wait for benefits over the next few years rather than making them wait until 2031.
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Elimination of the Medicare Waiting Period: Section 3(a) amends section 226 of the Social Security Act by adding a new subsection (j) that eliminates the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits for certain eligible individuals under the age of 65 without minimum essential coverage. This is positive because eligible individuals can receive their Medicare benefits and status retroactively to the first month instead of waiting 24 months.
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Special Enrollment Periods for Medicare: Section 3(b) amends section 1837 of the Social Security Act by adding a new subsection (p) to establish special enrollment periods for certain eligible individuals. This is positive because it gives individuals a specific timeframe, such as an initial enrollment period beginning on the first day of the first month, to sign up for coverage they might have otherwise missed out on during a waiting period.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 legislation directly eliminates and phases down waiting periods for disability insurance and Medicare for individuals with disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing earlier access to disability insurance and Medicare benefits directly benefits low-income households experiencing disability. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans with qualifying disabilities benefit from the elimination of waiting periods for disability and Medicare benefits.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands healthcare access by providing Medicare eligibility and special enrollment periods during the social security disability waiting period. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill eliminates the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits for certain eligible individuals with disabilities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill strengthens protections and support for individuals with disabilities by eliminating waiting periods for benefits. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Eliminating and phasing down the disability insurance waiting period helps lift disabled individuals out of poverty sooner.
- 9/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 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.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts