Bill · S. 4989· Senate(119-S-4989)
Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act
- Introduced
- 7/15/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical diagnoses to reduce patient harm and health care waste. It establishes a research and quality improvement program, including the creation of research centers of diagnostic excellence. The act directs the government to create a system for patients and families to voluntarily report diagnostic errors. It also focuses on standardizing data, providing fellowships and training grants, and creating an Interagency Council on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care.
Yes· 3 of 30
Does this put more money into medical research?+8
Authorizes significant funding for diagnostic excellence centers, fellowships, and quality improvement research.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+8
Provides direct appropriations for diagnostic research and the establishment of research centers.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
Higher likelihood of complex diagnoses makes the focus on diagnostic quality highly beneficial for seniors.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
Reports submitted to the voluntary system are inadmissible in civil or criminal proceedings, potentially limiting evidence for patients.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reduction of Patient Harm: The bill seeks to understand and eliminate common diagnostic failures and delays that lead to significant patient harm (Section 3(a)).
-
Patient Involvement: It establishes an advisory committee that includes patients and family members with lived experience to ensure research remains patient-centered (Section 3(b)(4)).
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Patient Reporting System: The bill requires a strategic plan to create mechanisms for patients, families, and caregivers to voluntarily report diagnostic errors and near misses (Section 4(a)).
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Improved Technology: The bill promotes the use of artificial intelligence and data science to empower patients and improve the detection of safety signals from reported data (Section 3(b)(4)(B)(i) and Section 4(c)(1)(C)).
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Increased Research Funding: It authorizes specific funding for research programs (Section 3(c)), patient safety reporting (Section 4(e)), and the interagency council (Section 8(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Legal Use of Reports: Reports submitted through the new voluntary reporting system cannot be used as evidence in civil or criminal proceedings (Section 4(b)(1)).
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 Low Income Households+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Veterans+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Children+4Good For High Income Households+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For White Americans+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Students+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+8Improves Healthcare Access+5Improves Veterans Healthcare+3Reduces Hospital Costs+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+8Improves Data Privacy+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+4Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+4Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+2
- 7/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico