Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Introduced
Summary
Stops Medicare payments to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by private equity funds or real estate investment trusts. The bill adds a new rule that defines which firms count as "covered firms" and bars Medicare reimbursements to facilities tied to those firms while allowing a time-limited transition for existing arrangements.
Show full summary
- Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by a covered firm will be ineligible to receive Medicare payments. Facilities already under such ownership on enactment get a three-year transition window.
- A "covered firm" is defined to include private equity funds, corporations controlled by private equity funds, and real estate investment trusts. Covered firms and their affiliates can be held jointly and severally liable for penalties or obligations incurred by the provider.
- The Secretary sets how the control standard applies and the bill uses cross-references to the Investment Company Act and the Internal Revenue Code to define terms. Providers facing findings get notice and an opportunity for a hearing under section 1128(f).
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Block Medicare payments to private equity hospitals
If enacted, the bill would prohibit Medicare payments to any hospital or skilled nursing facility owned or controlled by a covered firm or an affiliate. Facilities owned or controlled by a covered firm on the date of enactment would continue to get payments for three years. Facilities alleged to violate the rule would get reasonable notice and a hearing under section 1128(f). A covered firm or its affiliate would be jointly and severally liable for any penalty or obligation the facility faces.
Define private equity and control rules
If enacted, the bill would define which firms count as covered firms for the Medicare payment ban. It would define 'affiliate' and say control can come from owning or having the power to vote 10 percent or more of voting securities. The bill would say ordinary contracts for goods or non-management services do not alone count as control. It would also define private equity funds and use the tax code definition for real estate investment trusts.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/9/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov