Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9089
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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
- 2026-07-08T18:58:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a temporary, bipartisan commission in the legislative branch to examine ways to sustain the Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and Medicare programs and to recommend reforms.
Key Provisions
- Creates the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, consisting of 11 members.
- Requires the Commission to deliver a single report to Congress within one year of its first meeting. The report must address:
- Effects of alternative cost-of-living measures, such as the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), on beneficiaries and trust funds.
- Effects of new Medicare premium structures that account for financial hardship or socioeconomic status.
- Reforms to improve long-term program sustainability.
- Measures to reduce fraud, strengthen program integrity, and lower improper payments.
- Details appointment authority (President, House Speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader), meeting rules, hearing powers, access to federal data, and staff support.
- Authorizes $2,000,000 for operations and terminates the Commission 60 days after the report is submitted.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill does not amend the Social Security Act or Medicare statutes. It creates a new advisory body to study possible future changes rather than enacting any immediate alterations to benefits, eligibility, or financing.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Directs the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congressional Budget Office, and Government Accountability Office to supply data and assistance.
- Citizens: Future policy recommendations could affect benefit adjustments, premium amounts, and program rules for current and future beneficiaries.
- International relations: No provisions address foreign policy or international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and future recipients of Social Security and Medicare benefits.
- Congressional committees with jurisdiction over these programs.
- Federal agencies responsible for program administration and data analysis.
- Nongovernmental experts appointed to the Commission.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The Commission operates in the legislative branch but includes presidential appointees and agency heads, creating a mixed appointment structure.
- Bipartisan selection of members and focus on sustainability and fraud reduction reflect ongoing congressional interest in long-term fiscal stability of entitlement programs.
- No enforcement authority is granted; recommendations would require separate legislation to take effect.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (8 pages)