Bill · H.R. 610· House(119-HR-610)
Close the Medigap Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/22/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Lloyd Doggett
- Cosponsors
- - 45 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation makes several reforms to Medicare supplemental health insurance policies, commonly known as Medigap. It establishes guaranteed issue protections so that insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge more based on an individual's health status, medical history, or preexisting conditions. The bill updates medical loss ratio rules and prohibits pricing discrimination based on age. It also improves the Medicare plan finder website to help consumers compare options and understand costs. Additionally, the legislation restores access to first-dollar Medigap coverage and requires transparency reports regarding payments made to insurance brokers.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+9
Directly benefits Medicare beneficiaries by ensuring access to supplemental insurance regardless of health status.
Would retired people be better off under this?+9
Directly improves the availability and pricing transparency of supplemental health insurance for retirees.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+8
Removes barriers to obtaining supplemental insurance based on preexisting medical conditions.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
Overrides state-level guaranteed issue variations with a federal standard.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Guaranteed Coverage and Fair Pricing: Under Section 2 (Guaranteed Issue), insurers are prohibited from denying policies, excluding benefits for preexisting conditions, or charging higher prices based on an individual's health status, claims experience, medical condition, or genetic information. This protects people with health issues from being unfairly blocked from getting coverage or charged extra.
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Better Website Tools for Consumers: Under Section 5, the Secretary must update the Medicare plan finder website to give individuals better access to provider networks, clear reviews of out-of-pocket costs, and easy-to-understand information comparing policy options and premiums. This helps everyday people make informed choices about their healthcare options.
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Broker Transparency: Under Section 7 (Broker Transparency), Medigap insurance issuers must annually report payments and transfers of value made to agents and brokers. This provision holds officials and entities accountable by shedding light on financial relationships behind insurance sales.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Premium Adjustments for Specific Disease Manifestations: Under Section 2, the bill specifies that insurers are not prevented from increasing premiums for an individual or employer based on the actual manifestation of a disease or disorder. This means that if a covered person develops a specific illness, their policy pricing could still potentially go up based on that health event.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+9Good For Seniors+9Good For People With Disabilities+8Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+6
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 1/22/2025
- 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.
- 31 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Rosa DeLauroDemocrat · Connecticut
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Raúl GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey