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

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

Sec. 7901C–1. Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act

(a) Peripheral artery disease education program. Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.), as amended by section 7504, is amended by adding at the end the following:

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399V–14. Peripheral artery disease education program

(a) Establishment. The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall establish and coordinate a peripheral artery disease education program to support, develop, and implement educational initiatives and outreach strategies that inform health care professionals and the public about the existence of peripheral artery disease and methods to reduce amputations related to such disease, particularly with respect to at-risk populations.

(b) Authorization of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

(b) Medicare coverage of peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-Risk beneficiaries without imposition of cost sharing requirements

(1) In general. Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x), as amended by sections 2007, 4221, 4251, 6101, 7419, and 7901C, is amended—

(A) in subsection (s)(2)—

(i) in subparagraph (NN), by striking and at the end;

(ii) in subparagraph (OO), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

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

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(PP) peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in subsection (uuu)).

; and

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

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(uuu) Peripheral artery disease screening test; at-Risk beneficiary

(1) The term peripheral artery disease screening test means—

(A) noninvasive physiologic studies of extremity arteries (commonly referred to as ankle-brachial index testing);

(B) arterial duplex scans of lower extremity arteries vascular; and

(C) such other items and services as the Secretary determines, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to be appropriate for screening for peripheral artery disease for at-risk beneficiaries.

(2) The term at-risk beneficiary means an individual entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B—

(A) who is 65 years of age or older;

(B) who is at least 50 years of age but not older than 64 years of age with risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as diabetes mellitus, a history of smoking, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) or a family history of peripheral artery disease;

(C) who is younger than 50 years of age with diabetes mellitus and 1 additional risk factor for atherosclerosis; or

(D) with a known atherosclerotic disease in another vascular bed such as coronary, carotid, subclavian, renal, or mesenteric artery stenosis, or abdominal aortic aneurysm.

(3) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate organizations, establish standards regarding the frequency for peripheral artery disease screening tests described in subsection (s)(2)(PP) for purposes of coverage under this title.

(2) Inclusion of peripheral artery disease screening tests in initial preventive physical examination. Section 1861(ww)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ww)(2)) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (N), by moving the margins of such subparagraph 2 ems to the left;

(B) by redesignating subparagraph (O) as subparagraph (P); and

(C) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following new subparagraph:

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(O) Peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in subsection (uuu)).

(3) Payment

(A) In general. Section 1833(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)), as amended by sections 4251(c)(3), 6101(a)(4), and 7419, is amended—

(i) in paragraph (1)—

(I) in subparagraph (N), by inserting and other than peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1861(uuu)) after other than personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1));

(II) by striking and before (KK); and

(III) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (LL) with respect to peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1861(uuu)), the amount paid shall be 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the amount determined under the payment basis determined under section 1848; and

(ii) in paragraph (2)—

(I) in subparagraph (G), by striking and at the end;

(II) in subparagraph (H), by inserting and at the end; and

(III) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new subparagraph:

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(I) with respect to peripheral artery disease screening tests (as defined in paragraph (1) of section 1861(uuu)) furnished by an outpatient department of a hospital to at-risk beneficiaries (as defined in paragraph (2) of such section), the amount determined under paragraph (1)(EE),

(B) No deductible. Section 1833(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(b)), as amended by section 7419(a)(5)(A)(iii), is amended, in the first sentence—

(i) by striking and before (14); and

(ii) by inserting , and (15) such deductible shall not apply with respect to peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1861(uuu)) before the period at the end.

(C) Exclusion from prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. Section 1833(t)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(1)(B)(iv)) is amended—

(i) by striking , or personalized and inserting , personalized; and

(ii) by inserting , or peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1861(uuu)) after personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)).

(D) Payment under physician fee schedule. Section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)), as amended by section 4251(c)(4), is amended by inserting , (2)(PP), after (2)(KK).

(4) Exclusion from coverage and medicare as secondary payer for tests performed more frequently than allowed. Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)), as amended by subsection (b)(2), is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (P), by striking and at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (Q), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting , and; and

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

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(R) in the case of peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1861(uuu)), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section;

(5) Authority to modify or eliminate coverage of certain preventive services. Section 1834(n) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(n)) is amended—

(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and moving the margins of such clauses, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving the margins of such subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;

(C) by striking Certain Preventive Services and all that follows through any other provision of this title and inserting:

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Certain Preventive Services.—

(1) In general. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title

; and

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

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(2) Inapplicability. The Secretarial authority described in paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to preventive services described in section 1861(ww)(2)(O).

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

(c) Medicaid coverage of peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-Risk beneficiaries without imposition of cost sharing requirements

(1) In general. Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by section 5406(f) and 7419(a)(3)(A)(ii), is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) in paragraph (33), by striking and after the semicolon;

(ii) by redesignating paragraph (34) as paragraph (35); and

(iii) by inserting after paragraph (33) the following new paragraph:

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(34) peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in subsection (ss)); and

; and

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

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(ss) Peripheral artery disease screening test; at-Risk beneficiary

(1) Peripheral artery disease screening test. The term peripheral artery disease screening test means—

(A) noninvasive physiologic studies of extremity arteries (commonly referred to as ankle-brachial index testing);

(B) arterial duplex scans of lower extremity arteries vascular; and

(C) such other items and services as the Secretary determines, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to be appropriate for screening for peripheral artery disease for at-risk beneficiaries.

(2) At-risk beneficiary. The term at-risk beneficiary means an individual enrolled under a State plan (or a waiver of such plan)—

(A) who is 65 years of age or older;

(B) who is at least 50 years of age but not older than 64 years of age with risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as diabetes mellitus, a history of smoking, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) or a family history of peripheral artery disease;

(C) who is younger than 50 years of age with diabetes mellitus and one additional risk factor for atherosclerosis; or

(D) with a known atherosclerotic disease in another vascular bed such as coronary, carotid, subclavian, renal, or mesenteric artery stenosis, or abdominal aortic aneurysm.

(3) Frequency. The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate organizations, establish standards regarding the frequency for peripheral artery disease screening tests described in subsection (a)(34) for purposes of coverage under a State plan under this title.

(2) No cost sharing

(A) In general. Subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 1916 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o), as amended by section 7305(b)(1), are each amended—

(i) in subparagraph (K), by striking or after the comma at the end;

(ii) in subparagraph (L), by striking ; and and inserting , or; and

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

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(M) peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1905(ss)); and

(B) Application to alternative cost sharing. Section 1916A(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o–1(b)(3)(B)), as amended by section 7305(b)(2), is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

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(xv) Peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-risk beneficiaries (as such terms are defined in section 1905(ss)).

(3) Mandatory coverage. Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)), as amended by section 2007(d)(2), is amended by striking and (32) and inserting (32), and (34).

(d) Requirement for group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage To provide coverage for peripheral artery disease screening tests furnished to at-Risk enrollees without imposition of cost sharing requirements

(1) In general. Section 2713 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–13), as amended by section 7419(a)(1)(A), is further amended—

(A) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) of such section, as redesignated by section 7419(a)(1)(A), the following:

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(F) with respect to at-risk enrollees, peripheral artery disease screening tests.

(2) Frequency. The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate organizations, shall establish standards regarding the frequency for peripheral artery disease screening tests for purposes of coverage under this section.

(3) Clarification regarding breast cancer screening, mammography, and prevention recommendations. For the purposes of this Act, and for the purposes of any other provision of law, the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding breast cancer screening, mammography, and prevention shall be considered the most current other than those issued in or around November 2009.

(4) Definitions. In this subsection:

(A) At-risk enrollee. The term at-risk enrollee means an individual enrolled in a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage—

(i) who is 65 years of age or older;

(ii) who is at least 50 years of age but not older than 64 years of age with risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as diabetes mellitus, a history of smoking, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) or a family history of peripheral artery disease;

(iii) who is younger than 50 years of age with diabetes mellitus and one additional risk factor for atherosclerosis; or

(iv) with a known atherosclerotic disease in another vascular bed such as coronary, carotid, subclavian, renal, or mesenteric artery stenosis, or abdominal aortic aneurysm.

(B) Peripheral artery disease screening test. The term peripheral artery disease screening test means—

(i) noninvasive physiologic studies of extremity arteries (commonly referred to as ankle-brachial index testing);

(ii) arterial duplex scans of lower extremity arteries vascular; and

(iii) such other items and services as the Secretary determines, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to be appropriate for screening for peripheral artery disease for at-risk enrollees.

(5) Rule of construction. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a plan or issuer from providing coverage for services in addition to those recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force or to deny coverage for services that are not recommended by such Task Force.

; and

(B) in subsection (b)(1)—

(i) by striking subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) or a guideline under subsection (a)(3) and inserting subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) or a guideline under subparagraph (C) of such subsection; and

(ii) by striking described in subsection (a) and inserting described in subsection (a)(1).

(2) Effective date. The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

(e) Disallowance of payment for nontraumatic amputation services furnished without anatomical testing services. Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m), as amended by section 4221(b)(2), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

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(bb) Disallowance of payment for nontraumatic amputation services furnished without anatomical testing services

(1) In general. In the case of nontraumatic amputation services furnished by a supplier on or after January 1, 2027, to an individual entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under this part, for which payment is made under this part, payment may only be made under this part if—

(A) such supplier furnishes anatomical testing services to such individual during the 3-month period preceding the date on which such nontraumatic amputation services is furnished; or

(B) such individual has a pre-existing dysfunctional or unsalvageable limb, life-threatening sepsis, intractable infection, extensive gangrene or necrotic tissue loss beyond salvage, a poor functional status, severe dementia, or a short life expectancy after shared decision making with a health care team and patient, family, or caregiver.

(2) Definitions. In this subsection:

(A) Anatomical testing services. The term anatomical testing services means arterial duplex scanning, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography.

(B) Nontraumatic amputation services. The term nontraumatic amputation services means amputations as a result of atherosclerotic vascular disease or a related comorbidity of such disease (including diabetes).

(f) Development and implementation of quality measures

(1) Development. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the Secretary) shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, develop quality measures for nontraumatic, lower-limb, major amputation that utilize appropriate diagnostic screening (including peripheral artery disease screening) in order to encourage alternative treatments (including revascularization) in lieu of such an amputation.

(2) Implementation. After appropriate testing and validation of the measures developed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall incorporate such measures in quality reporting programs for appropriate providers of services and suppliers under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including for purposes of—

(A) the merit-based incentive payment system under section 1848(q) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(q));

(B) incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models under section 1833(z) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(z));

(C) the shared savings program under section 1899 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395jjj);

(D) models under section 1115A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a); and

(E) such other payment systems or models as the Secretary may specify.

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