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119-hr-10875119th CongressWALLET

Improving Medicare Coverage Act

Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Introduced

Summary

Lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50 and create a new federal program to pay premiums and most cost sharing for low-income and previously Medicaid-assisted people, while shifting most Medicaid cost-sharing support into Medicare.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Medicare eligibility starting at 50

If enacted, the bill would let people qualify for Medicare starting at age 50, beginning 6 months after enactment. The Secretary would automatically enroll newly entitled Part A people, starting no later than 3 months after enactment and finishing no later than 11 months after enactment. A one‑time Part B initial enrollment window for people aged 50–64 would run from 3 months through 11 months after enactment. These rules would give the newly eligible a clear path onto Medicare.

New help paying Medicare costs

If enacted, the bill would create a Medicare Cost Assistance Program starting 6 months after enactment. The program would pay specified Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for people who qualify. You would qualify if you received certain Medicaid help with Medicare costs immediately before the start date, or if you have Part A and income at or below 200% of the poverty line. The Social Security Administration would decide eligibility, with determinations effective the month you apply and redeterminations no more than once every 12 months. The bill would fund $10 million per year for State Health Insurance Assistance Program outreach in FY2026–FY2028 and require a simplified, multi‑language application and special enrollment rules while eligibility is being decided.

End most Medicaid Medicare help

If enacted, the bill would end most Medicaid payments for Medicare cost‑sharing for calendar quarters beginning 6 months after enactment. An exception would remain for qualified disabled and working individuals under section 1905(s). No new qualifying‑individual selections or State allocations would be made for periods starting on or after that date. States would need to complete required actions before the cutoff. A new federal assistance program could help some people, but it would have separate eligibility rules.

Changes to Medicare premiums and tax rules

If enacted, the bill would change how Medicare actuarial values and premiums are set for the expanded age group. The Secretary would use old rate rules for people 65 and older through September 2025 and set annual actuarial values for enrollees age 50 and over starting in September 2026. The bill would also treat Medicare coverage for people aged 50–64 as Exchange coverage for some premium tax credit rules, with a specific statutory exception. These steps could change who gets tax credits and how much people pay, but the bill does not set credit amounts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Blair, Everton [D-GA-13]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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