H.R. 9877

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026

Sponsor: Raul Ruiz

26 cosponsors
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I Data collection and reporting

II Culturally and linguistically appropriate health and health care

III Health workforce diversity

A Diversifying the health care workplace

B Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Behavioral and Mental Health Workforce

C ACCESS in Mental Health Act

D Developing the Community Health Workforce Act

IV Improving Health Care Access and Quality

A Reducing Barriers to Accessing Care

B Improvement of Coverage

C Expansion of Access

1 General Provisions

2 Rural

3 Indian Communities

4 Providers

5 Dental

D Advancing Health Equity Through Payment and Delivery Reform

E Health Empowerment Zones

F Equitable Health Care for All

G Investing in Equity

H Miscellaneous

I Territories Health Equity

1 Medicare

A Part A

B Part B

C Medicare Advantage (Part C)

D Part D

2 Miscellaneous

V Improving health outcomes for women, gender-diverse people, children, and families

A Underserved communities

B Pregnancy screening

C Pregnancy-Related care

D Federal agency coordination on maternal health

E Reproductive and Sexual Health

F Children’s Health

G Elder Care

H Miscellaneous provisions

VI Mental health and substance use disorders

A Access to care and funding streams

B Interprofessional care

C Workforce development

D Children’s mental health

E Community-Based care

F Reports

G Miscellaneous provisions

VII Addressing high-impact minority diseases

A Cancer

B Viral hepatitis and liver cancer control and prevention

C Acquired bone marrow failure diseases

D Cardiovascular disease, chronic disease, obesity, and other disease issues

E HIV/AIDS

Sec. 7419. PrEP access and coverage

(a) Coverage of HIV testing and prevention services

(1) Private insurance

(A) In general. Section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–13(a)) is amended to read as follows:

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(a) Coverage of preventive health services

(1) In general. A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall, at a minimum, provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost sharing requirements for—

(A) evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force;

(B) immunizations that have in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved;

(C) with respect to infants, children, and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration;

(D) with respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not described in subparagraph (A) as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration for purposes of this subparagraph;

(E) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV (other than a drug subject to preauthorization requirements consistent with section 2729A), administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation; and

(B) Prohibition on preauthorization requirements

(i) PHSA. Part D of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

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2799A–12. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services. A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(1)(E), except that a plan or issuer may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of this Act if such plan or issuer provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.

(ii) ERISA

(I) In general. Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

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727. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services. A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(1)(E), except that a plan or issuer may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of this Act if such plan or issuer provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.

(II) Clerical amendment. The table of contents in section 1 of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 726 the following new item:

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Sec. 727. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services.

(iii) IRC

(I) In general. Subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:

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9827. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services. A group health plan shall not impose any preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of the services described in section 2713(a)(1)(E), except that a plan may impose preauthorization requirements with respect to coverage of a particular drug approved under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or section 351(a) of this Act if such plan provides coverage without any preauthorization requirements for a drug that is therapeutically equivalent.

(C) Clerical amendment. The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

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Sec. 9827. Prohibition on preauthorization requirements with respect to certain services.

(2) Coverage under federal employees health benefits program. Section 8904 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

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(c) Any health benefits plan offered under this chapter shall include benefits for, and may not impose any cost sharing requirements for, any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

(3) Medicaid

(A) In general. Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by section 5201(b)(2)(A)(i) and 5406(f), is amended—

(i) in subsection (a)(4)—

(I) by striking ; and (G) and inserting ; (G); and

(II) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; and (H) HIV prevention services;; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

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(rr) HIV prevention services. For purposes of subsection (a)(4)(H), the term HIV prevention services means prescription drugs for the prevention of HIV acquisition, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

(B) No cost-sharing. Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is amended—

(i) in section 1916, by inserting HIV prevention services described in section 1905(a)(4)(H), after section 1905(a)(4)(C), each place it appears; and

(ii) in section 1916A(b)(3)(B), as amended by section 7305, by adding at the end the following new clause:

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(xvi) HIV prevention services described in section 1905(a)(4)(H).

(C) Inclusion in benchmark coverage. Section 1937(b)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–7(b)(7)) is amended—

(i) in the paragraph header, by inserting and HIV prevention services after supplies; and

(ii) by striking includes for any individual described in section 1905(a)(4)(C), medical assistance for family planning services and supplies in accordance with such section and inserting includes medical assistance for HIV prevention services described in section 1905(a)(4)(H), and includes, for any individual described in section 1905(a)(4)(C), medical assistance for family planning services and supplies in accordance with such section.

(4) CHIP

(A) In general. Section 2103 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc), as amended by section 2007(d)(5), is amended—

(i) in subsection (a), by striking through (13) and inserting through (14); and

(ii) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

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(14) HIV prevention services. Regardless of the type of coverage elected by a State under subsection (a), the child health assistance provided for a targeted low-income child, and, in the case of a State that elects to provide pregnancy-related assistance pursuant to section 2112, the pregnancy-related assistance provided for a targeted low-income pregnant woman (as such terms are defined for purposes of such section), shall include coverage of HIV prevention services (as defined in section 1905(rr)).

(B) No cost-sharing. Section 2103(e)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(e)(2)) is amended by inserting HIV prevention services described in subsection (c)(14), before or for pregnancy-related assistance.

(C) Effective date

(i) In general. Subject to clause (ii), the amendments made by paragraph (3) and this paragraph shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

(ii) Delay permitted if state legislation required. In the case of a State plan approved under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by this subsection, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period beginning with the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.

(5) Coverage and elimination of cost-sharing under Medicare

(A) Coverage of HIV prevention services under part B

(i) Coverage

(I) In general. Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)), as amended by section 4251(c)(1) and 6101(a)(1), is amended—

(aa) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (LL);

(bb) by inserting and at the end of subparagraph (MM); and

(cc) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

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(NN) HIV prevention services (as defined in subsection (sss));

(II) Definition. Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x), as amended by sections 2007(b), 4221(a), 4251(c)(2), and 6101(a)(2), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

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(sss) HIV prevention services. The term HIV prevention services means—

(1) drugs or biologicals approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV;

(2) administrative fees for such drugs;

(3) laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs; and

(4) clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

(ii) Elimination of coinsurance. Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)), as amended by sections 4251(c)(3) and 6101(a)(4), is amended—

(I) by striking and before (JJ); and

(II) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: and (KK) with respect to HIV prevention services (as defined in section 1861(sss)), the amount paid shall be 100 percent of (i) except as provided in clause (ii), the lesser of the actual charge for the service or the amount determined under the fee schedule that applies to such services under this part, and (ii) in the case of such services that are covered OPD services (as defined in subsection (t)(1)(B)), the amount determined under subsection (t).

(iii) Exemption from part B deductible. Section 1833(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(b)) is amended—

(I) in paragraph (12), by striking section 1861(s)(10)(A),, and and inserting section 1861(s)(10)(A),;

(II) in paragraph (13), by striking section 1861(n).. and inserting section 1861(n), and (14) such deductible shall not apply with respect to HIV prevention services (as defined in section 1861(sss)..

(iv) Effective date. The amendments made by this subparagraph shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.

(B) Elimination of cost-sharing for drugs for the prevention of HIV under part D

(i) In general. Section 1860D–2 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–102) is amended—

(I) in subsection (b)—

(aa) in paragraph (1)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking (8) and (9) and inserting (8), (9), and (10);

(bb) in paragraph (2)(A), in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking (8) and (9) and inserting (8), (9), and (10); and

(cc) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

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(10) Elimination of cost-sharing for drugs for the prevention of HIV. For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with respect to a covered part D drug that is for the prevention of HIV—

(A) the deductible under paragraph (1) shall not apply; and

(B) there shall be no coinsurance or other cost-sharing under this part with respect to such drug.

; and

(II) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

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(7) Treatment of cost-sharing for drugs for the prevention of hiv. The coverage is in accordance with subsection (b)(10).

(ii) Conforming amendments to cost-sharing for low-income individuals. Section 1860D–14(a)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a)(1)(D)) is amended in each of clauses (ii) and (iii), by striking paragraph (6) and inserting paragraph (6) and section 1860D–2(b)(10).

(6) Coverage of HIV prevention treatment by Department of Veterans Affairs

(A) Elimination of medication copayments. Section 1722A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

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(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a medication for the prevention of HIV.

(B) Elimination of hospital care and medical services copayments. Section 1710 of such title is amended—

(i) in subsection (f)—

(I) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and

(II) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5):

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(5) A veteran shall not be liable to the United States under this subsection for any amounts for laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, or for laboratory or other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, or clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

; and

(ii) in subsection (g)(3), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

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(C) Any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

(C) Inclusion as preventive health service. Section 1701(9) of such title is amended—

(i) in subparagraph (K), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (L) as subparagraph (M); and

(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (K) the following new subparagraph (L):

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(L) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation; and

(7) Coverage of HIV prevention treatment by Department of Defense

(A) In general. Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1079c the following new section:

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1079d. Coverage of HIV prevention treatment

(a) In general. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure coverage under the TRICARE program of HIV prevention treatment described in subsection (b) for any beneficiary under section 1074(a) of this title.

(b) HIV prevention treatment described. HIV prevention treatment described in this subsection includes any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation.

(c) No cost-Sharing. Notwithstanding section 1075, 1075a, or 1074g(a)(6) of this title or any other provision of law, there is no cost-sharing requirement for HIV prevention treatment covered under this section.

(B) Clerical amendment. The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1079c the following new item:

1079d. Coverage of HIV prevention treatment..

(8) Indian health service testing, monitoring, and prescription drugs for the prevention of hiv. Title II of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act is amended by inserting after section 223 (25 U.S.C. 1621v) the following:

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224. Testing, monitoring, and prescription drugs for the prevention of HIV

(a) In general. The Secretary, acting through the Service, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, shall provide, without limitation, funding for any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (commonly known as HIV), administrative fees for that drug, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of that drug, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines.

(b) Authorization of appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

(b) Prohibition on denial of coverage or increase in premiums of life, disability, or long-Term care insurance for individuals taking medication for the prevention of HIV acquisition

(1) Prohibition. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful to—

(A) decline or limit coverage of a person under any life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy, on account of the individual taking medication for the purpose of preventing the acquisition of HIV;

(B) preclude an individual from taking medication for the purpose of preventing the acquisition of HIV as a condition of receiving a life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy;

(C) consider whether an individual is taking medication for the purpose of preventing the acquisition of HIV in determining the premium rate for coverage of such individual under a life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy; or

(D) otherwise discriminate in the offering, issuance, cancellation, amount of such coverage, price, or any other condition of a life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy for an individual, based solely and without any additional actuarial risks upon whether the individual is taking medication for the purpose of preventing the acquisition of HIV.

(2) Enforcement. A State insurance regulator may take such actions to enforce paragraph (1) as are specifically authorized under the laws of such State.

(3) Definitions. In this subsection:

(A) Disability insurance policy. The term disability insurance policy means a contract under which an entity promises to pay a person a sum of money in the event that an illness or injury resulting in a disability prevents such person from working.

(B) Life insurance policy. The term life insurance policy means a contract under which an entity promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of the insured.

(C) Long-term care insurance policy. The term long-term care insurance policy means a contract for which the only insurance protection provided under the contract is coverage of qualified long-term care services (as defined in section 7702B(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

(c) Patient confidentiality. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall amend the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note), as necessary, to ensure that individuals are able to access the benefits described in section 2713(a)(1)(E) of the Public Health Service Act under a family plan without any other individual enrolled in such family plan, including a primary subscriber or policyholder of such plan, being informed of such use of such benefits.

(d) Pre-Exposure prophylaxis and post-Exposure prophylaxis funding. Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.), as amended by section 7303, is amended by adding at the end the following:

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399V–11. Pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis funding

(a) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a program that awards grants to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and directly eligible entities for the establishment and support of pre-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this section as PEP) HIV programs.

(b) Applications. To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a State, territory, Indian Tribe, or directly eligible entity shall—

(1) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan describing how any funds awarded will be used to increase access to PrEP for uninsured and underinsured individuals and reduce disparities in access to PrEP and PEP for uninsured and underinsured individuals and reduce disparities in access to PrEP and PEP; and

(2) appoint a PrEP and PEP grant administrator to manage the program.

(c) Directly eligible entity. For purposes of this section, the term directly eligible entity—

(1) means a Federally qualified health center or other nonprofit entity engaged in providing PrEP and PEP information and services; and

(2) may include—

(A) a Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act);

(B) a family planning grantee (other than States) funded under section 1001;

(C) a rural health clinic (as defined in section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act);

(D) a health facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with the Indian Health Service;

(E) a community-based organization, clinic, hospital, or other health facility that provides services to individuals at risk for or living with HIV; and

(F) a nonprofit private entity providing comprehensive primary care to populations at risk of HIV, including faith-based and community-based organizations.

(d) Awards. In determining whether to award a grant, and the grant amount for each grant awarded, the Secretary shall consider the grant application and the need for PrEP and PEP services in the area, the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in the area, and how the State, territory, or Indian Tribe coordinates PrEP and PEP activities with the directly funded entity, if the State, territory, or Indian Tribe applies for the funds.

(e) Use of funds

(1) In general. Any State, territory, Indian Tribe, or directly eligible entity that is awarded funds under subsection (a) shall use such funds for eligible PrEP and PEP expenses.

(2) Eligible prep expenses. The Secretary shall publish a list of expenses that qualify as eligible PrEP and PEP expenses for purposes of this section, which shall include—

(A) any prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of HIV, administrative fees for such drugs, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures associated with the use of such drugs, and clinical follow-up and monitoring, including any related services recommended in current United States Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines, without limitation;

(B) outreach and public education activities directed toward populations overrepresented in the domestic HIV epidemic that increase awareness about the existence of PrEP and PEP, provide education about access to and health care coverage of PrEP and PEP, PrEP and PEP adherence programs, and counter stigma associated with the use of PrEP and PEP; and

(C) outreach activities directed toward physicians and other providers that provide education about PrEP and PEP.

(f) Report to congress. The Secretary shall, in each of the first 5 years beginning one year after the date of the enactment of this section, submit to Congress, and make public on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the impact of any grants provided to States, territories, and Indian Tribes and directly eligible entities for the establishment and support of pre-exposure prophylaxis programs under this section.

(g) Authorization of appropriations. To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

(e) Clarification. This section, including the amendments made by this section, shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of law, including Public Law 103–141.

(f) Private right of action. Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section, including the amendments made by this section, may commence a civil action in an appropriate United States District Court or other court of competent jurisdiction to obtain relief as allowed by law as either an individual or member of a class. If the plaintiff is the prevailing party in such an action, the court shall order the defendant to pay the costs and reasonable attorney fees of the plaintiff.

F Diabetes

G Lung disease

H Tuberculosis

I Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases

J Sleep and circadian rhythm disorders

K Kidney disease research, surveillance, prevention, and treatment

L Diversity in clinical trials

M Additional provisions addressing high-impact minority diseases

N Health Equity and Rare Disease Act

O Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention

P New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease

VIII Health Information Technology

A Reducing Health Disparities Through Health IT

B Modifications To Achieve Parity in Existing Programs

C Additional Research and Studies

D Closing Gaps in Funding To Adopt Certified EHRs

E Expanding Access to Telehealth Services

IX Accountability and Evaluation

X Addressing Social Determinants and Improving Environmental Justice

A In General

B Gun Violence

C Nutrition for women, children, families

1 Senior hunger prevention

2 Closing the meal gap

D Universal school meals

1 School breakfast program

2 School lunch program

3 Elementary and secondary education data

4 Amendments to other programs and laws

XI Protections to combat regulatory harm to health equity