Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1616
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:09:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 1616: Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act
Purpose
This bill aims to expand access to Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes and inserts for people with diabetes by allowing more types of healthcare providers to document the medical need, reducing barriers for patients who may face delays in seeing a physician.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act, which governs Medicare coverage for certain items and services.
- Specifically updates two subparagraphs (A and C) to include "nurse practitioner or physician assistant" alongside "physician" as qualified providers who can certify the need for diabetic shoes.
- A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who can diagnose and treat health conditions; a physician assistant is a medical professional who works under physician supervision to provide patient care.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, only physicians can provide the required documentation for Medicare to cover therapeutic shoes for diabetic patients, which helps prevent foot complications like ulcers or amputations.
- The bill removes this restriction, enabling nurse practitioners and physician assistants to fulfill the same documentation role, broadening the pool of eligible certifiers without altering the coverage criteria or shoe specifications.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Improves access to preventive care for the approximately 38 million Americans with diabetes, potentially reducing wait times for certifications and lowering risks of costly complications; Medicare beneficiaries may face fewer administrative hurdles.
- On government agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may see streamlined processing of claims, though it could slightly increase the volume of covered services without major budgetary shifts, as the core coverage rules remain unchanged.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic healthcare policy focused on U.S. Medicare.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes: Primary beneficiaries who gain easier access to covered footwear.
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants: Expanded professional scope, allowing them to directly facilitate patient care under Medicare.
- Physicians: May experience reduced workload from routine certifications, though their role remains valid.
- Healthcare providers and facilities: Clinics and practices with NPs or PAs could see more efficient service delivery.
- CMS and Medicare program administrators: Responsible for implementing the documentation changes in billing and reimbursement processes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize Medicare by recognizing the growing role of non-physician providers, potentially setting a precedent for similar expansions in other coverage areas; no conflicts with existing federal healthcare statutes anticipated.
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it pertains to congressional authority over federal spending programs like Medicare under the Spending Clause.
- Political: Supports bipartisan interest in improving chronic disease management and healthcare access, reflecting trends in state-level expansions of NP and PA practice authority; could influence future debates on workforce shortages in primary care.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (56)
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large] and 6 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (2 pages)