Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, titled the "Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2026," amends the Social Security Act to create a formal review process for certain Medicare national coverage determinations (NCDs) related to drug and biological coverage. Specifically, it addresses NCDs that deny or limit coverage for FDA-approved drugs in a manner inconsistent with their approval or licensure. The goal is to ensure that Medicare coverage aligns more closely with regulatory approvals for innovative treatments. Under the proposed review process, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must initiate a review within 90 days of a request for a "specified national coverage determination." This review includes a 30-day public comment period, after which the Secretary must issue a final decision within 120 days to affirm, reverse, or modify the NCD. The bill also prohibits the Secretary from applying national coverage determinations made prior to a drug's approval or licensure if they would inconsistently deny or limit coverage for newly approved drugs. Furthermore, it prevents Medicare Part D plans from relying on these specified adverse NCDs when determining drug coverage.
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.
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.
Health
Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-9418| House
| Updated: 6/24/2026
This bill, titled the "Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2026," amends the Social Security Act to create a formal review process for certain Medicare national coverage determinations (NCDs) related to drug and biological coverage. Specifically, it addresses NCDs that deny or limit coverage for FDA-approved drugs in a manner inconsistent with their approval or licensure. The goal is to ensure that Medicare coverage aligns more closely with regulatory approvals for innovative treatments. Under the proposed review process, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must initiate a review within 90 days of a request for a "specified national coverage determination." This review includes a 30-day public comment period, after which the Secretary must issue a final decision within 120 days to affirm, reverse, or modify the NCD. The bill also prohibits the Secretary from applying national coverage determinations made prior to a drug's approval or licensure if they would inconsistently deny or limit coverage for newly approved drugs. Furthermore, it prevents Medicare Part D plans from relying on these specified adverse NCDs when determining drug coverage.
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.
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.