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ALS Better Care Act

USA119th CongressHR-7336| House 
| Updated: 2/3/2026
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (5)
Don Bacon (Republican)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Jason Crow (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "ALS Better Care Act" proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish comprehensive Medicare coverage for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This legislation introduces a new category of "ALS-related services," which includes crucial support such as specialized physician or nurse practitioner care, occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology, dietary and respiratory support, registered nurse assistance, and coordination of durable medical equipment. A key provision of the bill is the creation of a new payment system for these services, with an initial base payment of $800 per visit for qualified providers starting January 1, 2027. This payment amount will be adjusted annually based on an ALS services market basket percentage increase and periodically reviewed by the Comptroller General to ensure adequate reimbursement. Importantly, these ALS-related services will be furnished without any cost-sharing for the covered individuals. The bill also mandates payment adjustments for qualified providers participating in ALS clinical trials to account for increased costs, and for new, significant medical services or technologies. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress identifying challenges in the administration and staffing of ALS clinical trials, along with recommendations for improvement, within 90 days of enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5663
ALS Better Care Act
Feb 3, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3763
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5663
    ALS Better Care Act


  • February 3, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3763
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 3, 2026
    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.

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-3763: ALS Better Care Act

ALS Better Care Act

USA119th CongressHR-7336| House 
| Updated: 2/3/2026
The "ALS Better Care Act" proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish comprehensive Medicare coverage for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This legislation introduces a new category of "ALS-related services," which includes crucial support such as specialized physician or nurse practitioner care, occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology, dietary and respiratory support, registered nurse assistance, and coordination of durable medical equipment. A key provision of the bill is the creation of a new payment system for these services, with an initial base payment of $800 per visit for qualified providers starting January 1, 2027. This payment amount will be adjusted annually based on an ALS services market basket percentage increase and periodically reviewed by the Comptroller General to ensure adequate reimbursement. Importantly, these ALS-related services will be furnished without any cost-sharing for the covered individuals. The bill also mandates payment adjustments for qualified providers participating in ALS clinical trials to account for increased costs, and for new, significant medical services or technologies. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress identifying challenges in the administration and staffing of ALS clinical trials, along with recommendations for improvement, within 90 days of enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5663
ALS Better Care Act
Feb 3, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3763
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5663
    ALS Better Care Act


  • February 3, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3763
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 3, 2026
    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.
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (5)
Don Bacon (Republican)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Jason Crow (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-3763: ALS Better Care Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted