# 119-hr-7118: Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026

119-hr-7118, Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-03).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7118
- As of: 2026-10-03
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-7118
- Congress: 119
- Title: Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-01-15
- Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 27
- Policy area: Health
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-03

## Summary

**Medicaid coverage for whole genome and whole exome sequencing** would be established as a first‑tier diagnostic test for children suspected of genetic disorders, rare diseases, or unexplained conditions. The bill would require separate payment for sequencing and direct federal reviews and reports to support state implementation. - Families and children: Children with suspected genetic disorders, rare diseases, one or more congenital anomalies, global developmental delay, or intellectual disability would be eligible for whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing in inpatient and outpatient settings when ordered by a physician or other provider acting within their scope of practice. - Payment and providers: Medicaid payment for whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing would be made separately and not bundled with other medical assistance, creating a distinct reimbursement path for labs and clinicians. - Implementation and oversight: The Secretary of Health and Human Services would convene national organizations and stakeholders and publish a report within two years on State payment amounts, numbers of children sequenced, health outcomes, and services provided. The Comptroller General would collect implementation feedback, assess access issues including prior authorization and workforce or reimbursement challenges for genetic counselors, and make recommendations. The changes would apply beginning January 1, 2027.

## Cosponsors (27)

- Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19] (D-NY), 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] (R-FL), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (D-TX), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] (R-OH), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] (R-OH), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (D-PA), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27] (R-FL), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2026-01-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (R-PA), 2026-01-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] (D-MA), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-FL), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2026-02-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7] (R-NJ), 2026-02-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (D-WA), 2026-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1] (R-WV), 2026-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7] (R-MI), 2026-05-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2026-05-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] (R-NE), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] (R-NY), 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] (D-CT), 2026-09-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] (R-PA), 2026-09-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Medicaid coverage for genome tests: benefit, high. If enacted, this bill would require Medicaid to cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children suspected of genetic disorders, rare diseases, or unexplained medical conditions. The test would be covered in inpatient or outpatient settings when ordered by a physician or other provider wi…
- GAO study on sequencing access: benefit, low. If enacted, the Comptroller General would collect and analyze feedback on implementation of the Medicaid sequencing rules and assess impacts on access. The study would look at prior authorization effects, delays in care, workforce and reimbursement challenges for genetic counselors, and whether mar…
- HHS outreach and sequencing report: benefit, low. If enacted, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would convene national organizations, states, hospitals, patient groups, and Medicaid managed care organizations to identify implementation challenges and best practices for Medicaid coverage of genome sequencing. The Secretary would also condu…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act
- 119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
- 119-hr-1993: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act
- 119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-7118 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7118)

## Related
- [119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3514)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2102)
- [119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage A…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-842)
- [119-hr-1993: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1993)
- [119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4206)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7118 (as of 2026-10-03).