SAFE through Medicare Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8749
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: 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
- 2026-06-29T19:29:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8749: Survival Aid For Emergencies through Medicare Act (SAFE through Medicare Act)
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add Medicare coverage for medically necessary home resiliency services. It aims to support individuals at medical risk during climate or manmade disasters by covering specific items and services that enhance home safety and functionality in such events.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Coverage Addition: Amends Section 1861(s)(2) to include home resiliency services as a covered benefit under Medicare Part B for eligible individuals.
- Definition of Services: Home resiliency services include items such as heat pumps for temperature vulnerability, solar batteries for electrically dependent medical equipment, and energy-efficient cold storage for heat-sensitive supplies. These must be furnished on or after January 1, 2027, and deemed medically necessary by the Secretary.
- Eligibility Determination: The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, establishes criteria for identifying medically at-risk individuals. Factors considered include geography-specific climate risks, historical and predicted disaster patterns over 20 years, reliance on sensitive medical equipment or supplies, and chronic conditions or disabilities that heighten vulnerability.
- Payment Structure: Amends Section 1833(a)(1) to set payment at 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a fee schedule amount established by the Secretary.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new subparagraph (LL) in Section 1861(s)(2), expanding the list of covered services beyond current Medicare benefits.
- Adds a new subsection (ooo) to Section 1861, defining home resiliency services and the process for determining at-risk status.
- Modifies payment rules in Section 1833 to provide full coverage (no beneficiary cost-sharing specified) for these services under a new fee schedule.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and involved agencies (NIH, CMS, NOAA) in developing eligibility processes, fee schedules, and oversight of new services.
- On Citizens: Provides financial support to certain Medicare beneficiaries for disaster preparedness items, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs during emergencies.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions or impacts identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medicare beneficiaries determined to be medically at-risk due to climate or disaster vulnerabilities.
- Healthcare providers and suppliers furnishing the covered services.
- Federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, CMS, NIH, and NOAA.
- Individuals with chronic conditions, disabilities, or reliance on power-dependent medical equipment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Expands the scope of Medicare benefits through statutory amendment, potentially raising questions about the program's original intent under the Social Security Act, though no specific constitutional challenges are addressed in the bill text.
- Relies on administrative rulemaking by the Secretary for implementation details, which could involve regulatory processes subject to judicial review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: 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.
- 2026-05-12: 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.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Survival Aid For Emergencies through Medicare Act — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (4 pages)