H.R. 10706 would change how the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation tests and expands health care payment and service models. It would limit initial tests to five years and the lesser of 10% of eligible people or 500,000 beneficiaries. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the Center could begin no more than six new initial tests each year and could not test more than five mandatory-participation models at once.
The bill would require plans for hardship waivers and real-time monitoring of models’ effects on people receiving care. It would add public notice and comment, expert consultation, and a process for Congress to disapprove proposed model testing, expansion, or changes. It would also restore some judicial review, require annual reports beginning in 2027, address overlap between payment models, and change how models may consider care quality and savings. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to committees; it has not been enacted.
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary to monitor model effects on people receiving care and address harmful effects, including reduced access or inappropriate cuts in care. Providers could request a waiver if a model requirement would cause undue economic hardship or reduce access for vulnerable groups. The bill would also require public input before key model decisions.
No publicly available information.
Congress’s stated view in the bill is that model testing can help improve care coordination, quality, and efficiency. It supports limited initial testing, review of results, and ending models that do not meet their aims of lowering costs while maintaining or improving patient outcomes.
No publicly available information.