Kidney Disease Education Access Expansion Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9509
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: 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
- 2026-07-09T23:04:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to expand access to kidney disease education services under Medicare and private health insurance plans. It broadens eligibility, provider options, service scope, and delivery methods to improve patient understanding and outcomes for those at risk of kidney disease progression or failure.
Key Provisions
- Medicare expansions: Updates definitions for qualified providers to include physicians, physician assistants, nurses, clinical social workers, dietitians, and trained community health workers. Extends eligibility to individuals with hypertension, diabetes, any stage of chronic kidney disease, or other risk factors. Allows services in individual or group settings with caregivers present and adds topics such as slowing kidney decline, caregiver training, and post-transplant support. Removes the prior six-session limit in favor of a Secretary-determined number. Includes services in initial preventive exams and annual wellness visits, permits telehealth delivery, and sets Medicare payment at 100% of the lesser of actual charge or the fee schedule amount.
- Effectiveness measures: Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a working group within 180 days to develop assessment methodologies for patient benefit and educational outcomes. The group includes providers, patients, caregivers, technology specialists, and CMS representatives. A follow-up assessment framework must be established within two years to evaluate program success, with flexibility for guidance, regulations, or pilots.
- Private insurance: Adds kidney disease education services (as defined under Medicare) to the list of required preventive services under the Public Health Service Act, applying to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens Medicare coverage beyond stage IV chronic kidney disease to earlier stages and risk factors.
- Expands the provider pool and service delivery options, including group formats and caregiver involvement.
- Incorporates kidney disease screening and education into routine preventive visits.
- Establishes new mechanisms for measuring and improving educational effectiveness.
- Mandates inclusion of these services as no-cost preventive benefits in private plans.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services in implementation, working group coordination, assessment development, and payment administration starting in 2027.
- Citizens: Improves access to education for a wider population at risk of kidney issues, potentially supporting earlier intervention, better self-management, and transplant outcomes; may reduce long-term healthcare costs through prevention.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with or at risk for kidney disease and their caregivers.
- Healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, social workers, and community health workers.
- Medicare and private health insurers.
- Federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Transplant recipients and specialists.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill amends existing statutes without apparent constitutional conflicts, focusing on coverage expansions under Medicare and private insurance. It applies uniformly starting in 2027 and reflects bipartisan sponsorship, emphasizing expanded preventive health access.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: 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.
- 2026-06-29: 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.
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Kidney Disease Education Access Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (12 pages)