# 119-hr-9737: Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act

119-hr-9737, Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-25).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9737
- As of: 2026-07-25
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-9737
- Congress: 119
- Title: Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-16
- Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Health
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-25

## Summary

**Would create a Benefits Assistance Program in the Department of Labor** to help participants and beneficiaries challenge denied health benefits under ERISA and to guide appeals and external reviews. The Program would be established not later than January 1, 2027. - People covered by employer health plans would get direct help understanding their rights and filing internal appeals and external reviews. The Program would accept inquiries from participants, beneficiaries, and health care providers acting on their behalf. - Health care providers acting for patients could submit complaints about adverse benefit determinations and get referrals to state consumer assistance offices or other appropriate entities. The Program would also provide training and technical support to Department of Labor staff who advise claimants. - Administrators of single-employer plans would pay annual filing fees when they file reports. Fees are $250 for plans with fewer than 100 participants, $500 for plans with 100 to 499 participants, and at least $1,000 for larger plans. Fees may not come from plan assets and at least 50 percent of collected funds must support the Program. Plans not required to file annual reports must submit a notice with employer name, covered employee count, funding method, any insurers, and service providers paid $5,000 or more.

## Provisions PRIA read

- More help for denied health claims: benefit, medium. This bill would require the Department of Labor to set up a Benefits Assistance Program inside EBSA by January 1, 2027. The Program would accept complaints about adverse benefit determinations from plan participants, beneficiaries, and health care providers acting for them. It would help people und…
- New filing fees for employer plans: cost, low. This bill would require administrators of single‑employer welfare plans to pay a filing fee when they file an annual report or certain notices for filings after January 1, 2027. Fees would be $250 for plans with under 100 participants, $500 for 100–499 participants, and at least $1,000 for larger p…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-5658: Child Care for Every Community Act
- 119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-9737 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9737)

## Related
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7481)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-5658: Child Care for Every Community Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5658)
- [119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3971)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9737 (as of 2026-07-25).