Bill · S. 2836· Senate(119-S-2836)
POP Act
- Introduced
- 9/17/2025
- Last activity
- 9/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Patients Over Profit Act or the POP Act. It stops health insurance companies and certain Medicare health care providers from being under the same ownership. Any person or company that currently has this common ownership must separate them within a specific timeline. Government officials can bring civil actions in court against anyone who breaks these ownership rules. The bill also stops the government from making contracts or payments to Medicare Advantage organizations that violate the common ownership ban.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6
The bill protects healthcare consumers by preventing conflicts of interest between insurers and providers.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
Separating insurers and providers helps ensure business interests do not override patient care needs.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
Seniors benefit from protections against conflicts of interest in Medicare Advantage plans.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
Corporate healthcare and insurance entities face mandatory divestment and strict legal penalties.
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?-3
Investors in integrated healthcare corporations face financial disruption and forced asset sales.
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?-3
Major stakeholders in large health insurance and provider conglomerates face forced restructuring.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Funds for the community: Under Section 2(c)(3), any revenue that is forced away from companies breaking the ownership rules must be put into a fund by the Federal Trade Commission and distributed to serve the health care needs of the harmed community. This helps put money back toward the people who were hurt by these business practices.
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Clear separation of business: Under Section 2(a), the bill makes it unlawful for a person to own both certain health care providers and health insurance issuers. This prevents the same entity from controlling both the care side and the insurance side, which could help keep business interests from overriding patient care.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Disruption from forced sales: Under Section 2(b), individuals or companies that already own both a provider and an insurance issuer must sell off one of them within two years, and newer acquisitions within one year. This forced divestment could cause major administrative and financial disruptions for the organizations involved.
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Strict penalties for false claims: Under Section 2(g)(1), any claim for payment submitted by a Medicare Advantage entity that violates the common ownership rule is automatically treated as a false or fraudulent claim. This exposes entities to severe legal and financial penalties under federal law.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Business Owners-5Good For Billionaires-3Good For High Net Worth Individuals-3Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals-3
- 9/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts