Bill · H.R. 9486· House(119-HR-9486)
Health DATA Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/25/2026
- Last activity
- 6/25/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Takano
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill makes changes to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to increase transparency and data access for group health plans. It sets rules allowing group health plans to audit de-identified claims and pricing data from service providers like pharmacy benefit managers and third-party administrators. The legislation establishes privacy requirements for handling this data and clarifies fiduciary duties regarding plan data management. It also prohibits employers, plan sponsors, plan administrators, and plan fiduciaries from discriminating against participants or beneficiaries based on this health plan data. Finally, the bill creates civil penalties for providers and entities that violate these new transparency and anti-discrimination rules.
Yes· 3 of 36
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill directly increases the transparency of group health plan data, pricing terms, and administrative practices.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6
The legislation increases transparency, prevents discrimination based on plan data, and protects health plan participants through robust enforcement mechanisms.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+5
It establishes strong privacy protections and restrictions on the use and disclosure of de-identified and protected health data.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(a) improves transparency by giving group health plans the right to audit de-identified claims, encounter information, and pricing terms from health care providers, third-party administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers. This helps ensure that plans comply with rules and that compensation received by these entities is reasonable.
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Section 4(a) protects individuals by making it unlawful for employers, plan sponsors, plan administrators, and plan fiduciaries to discharge, fine, suspend, expel, discipline, or discriminate against participants or beneficiaries based on plan data. This provision also allows participants or beneficiaries to bring a legal action without needing to exhaust administrative remedies first.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(b) allows the Secretary to assess a civil penalty of $10,000 for each day a violation continues against health care providers, networks, third-party administrators, or pharmacy benefit managers that violate section 724. While holding bad actors accountable is important, these daily fines could potentially be passed down as increased costs to everyday consumers or businesses.
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 Middle Class Households+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Women+3Good For African Americans+2Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Business Owners+2Good For Children+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Immigrants+2Good For L G B T Q Community+2Good For Men+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Veterans+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Farmers+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For Native Americans+1Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Students+1Good For Urban Residents+1Good For White Americans+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Improves Privacy Rights+5Improves Due Process+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+4Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+4Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+6Improves Small Business Support+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+3
- 6/25/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House