United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee 52 D cosponsors

HR 1346 — Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019

Last action — Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

This bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to buy into Medicare.

The bill proposes an option for people aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare, providing similar benefits and coverage. It aims to stabilize health insurance markets and support beneficiaries with medical needs.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This bill may provide a health coverage option to workers approaching retirement age.

Summary

Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying individuals and makes a series of other changes relating to health care costs. Specifically, the bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if such individuals would otherwise qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option. The bill also (1) establishes a supplemental option under Medicare to cover cost-sharing for beneficiaries; (2) repeals provisions that prohibit the CMS from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs; and (3) establishes an individual market reinsurance program relating to coverage of high-cost individuals, as specified.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill introduces a Medicare buy-in option for individuals aged 50 to 64, allowing them to enroll in Medicare under specific eligibility criteria.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1395c

    Sec. 1899C. (a) Option.-- (1) In general.--Every individual who meets the requirements described in paragraph (2) shall be eligible to enroll under this section. (2) Eligibility.--An individual who meets the following requirements is eligible to enroll under this section: (A) Age.--The individual has attained 50 years of age, but has not attained 65 years of age. (B) Medicare eligibility (but for age).--The individual is not otherwise entitled to benefits under part A or eligible to enroll under part A or part B but would be eligible for benefits under part A or part B if the individual were 65 years of age.

    This addition allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare, expanding the eligibility criteria significantly.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1395c

    Sec. 1899C. (3) Part a, b, and d benefits and protections.--An individual enrolled under this section is entitled to the same benefits (and shall receive the same protections) under this title as an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under parts B and D.

    Enrollees under the new buy-in option will receive the same Medicare benefits and protections as current beneficiaries.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1395c

    Sec. 1899C. (c) Buy-In Premium.--(1) Amount of monthly premiums.--The Secretary shall determine a monthly premium for individuals enrolled under this section, which shall apply with respect to coverage provided under this section for any month in such year.

    Establishes a framework for setting monthly premiums for individuals enrolling through the buy-in option.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1395c

    Sec. 1899C. (e) Medicare Buy-In Trust Fund.--(1) In general.--There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the 'Medicare Buy-In Trust Fund'.

    Creates a new trust fund specifically for managing the finances related to the buy-in option, segregating it from traditional Medicare funds.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1395c

    Sec. 1899C. (g) Eligibility for Financial Assistance.--Individuals enrolled in coverage under this section shall receive financial assistance for such coverage that is substantially similar to the assistance the individual would have received if the individual were enrolled in a qualified health plan through an Exchange.

    Ensures that individuals enrolling via the buy-in option can access financial assistance similar to what they would receive in the marketplace.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  7. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 51 co-sponsors · 495 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (51)

Not signed on (495)

495 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 495 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 1346 do?
Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying individuals and makes a series of other changes relating to health care costs. Specifically, the bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if such individuals would otherwise qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option. The bill also (1) establishes a supplemental option under Medicare to cover cost-sharing for beneficiaries; (2) repeals provisions that prohibit the CMS from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs; and (3) establishes an individual market reinsurance program relating to coverage of high-cost individuals, as specified.
Who sponsors HR 1346?
HR 1346 is sponsored by Higgins, Brian (Democratic), Larson, John B. (Democratic), Courtney, Joe (Democratic), Welch, Peter (Democratic), Aguilar, Pete (Democratic), Bonamici, Suzanne (Democratic), Boyle, Brendan F. (Democratic), Clay, Wm. Lacy (Democratic), Deutch, Theodore E. (Democratic), Doyle, Michael F. (Democratic), Heck, Denny (Democratic), Krishnamoorthi, Raja (Democratic), Kuster, Ann M. (Democratic), Langevin, James R. (Democratic), Larsen, Rick (Democratic), Lowenthal, Alan S. (Democratic), Maloney, Sean Patrick (Democratic), Meeks, Gregory W. (Democratic), Norton, Eleanor Holmes (Democratic), Perlmutter, Ed (Democratic), Peterson, Collin C. (Democratic), Schiff, Adam B. (Democratic), Titus, Dina (Democratic), Tonko, Paul (Democratic), Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (Democratic), Wild, Susan (Democratic), McGovern, James P. (Democratic), Golden, Jared F. (Democratic), Brown, Anthony G. (Democratic), Keating, William R. (Democratic), Scanlon, Mary Gay (Democratic), DelBene, Suzan K. (Democratic), Rose, Max (Democratic), Trahan, Lori (Democratic), Quigley, Mike (Democratic), Rice, Kathleen M. (Democratic), Soto, Darren (Democratic), Khanna, Ro (Democratic), Sires, Albio (Democratic), Price, David E. (Democratic), Doggett, Lloyd (Democratic), Yarmuth, John A. (Democratic), Cisneros, Gilbert Ray (Democratic), Kildee, Daniel T. (Democratic), Lofgren, Zoe (Democratic), Cartwright, Matt (Democratic), Schneider, Bradley Scott (Democratic), Kirkpatrick, Ann (Democratic), Jeffries, Hakeem S. (Democratic), Bustos, Cheri (Democratic), Ryan, Tim (Democratic), and Case, Ed (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 1346?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 1346?
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