States would gain power to enforce Medicare Advantage rules under House bill
In committeeH.R. 8726Latest action
Sponsor: Troy Downing · Representative · MT
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: PARTNERS Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 8726 lets states enforce federal Medicare Advantage rules alongside CMS, affecting roughly 33 million enrolled seniors and disabled individuals.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 8726 would allow individual states to enforce existing federal requirements against Medicare Advantage plans operating within their borders, a power currently held only by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill also permits states to enter formal coordination agreements with the federal government. It does not change the underlying Medicare Advantage rules themselves.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects the approximately 33 million seniors and disabled individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. State attorneys general, state insurance regulators, and Medicare Advantage insurers would also have new roles or obligations under this change.
Why does it matter?
Adding state enforcement creates an additional avenue for action when plans improperly deny claims, delay care, or otherwise violate federal rules, rather than patients relying solely on federal response. Critics have raised the possibility that enforcement could become inconsistent or create confusion across different states.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 11, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · May 11, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.