Seniors and Medicare

What our breakdowns say each bill would mean for you, from groups whose heading contains Medicare, 65 or older, older, nursing home or scam. Newest official action first.

7 bills20 points

H.R. 7008

Stop Insider Trading Act

Latest official action Sep 30, 2026 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you are older or have a disability

One narrow exception might apply

Say your polling place is not accessible, and you asked for and got another way to vote on Election Day. Then the mail ID rule would not apply to you.
4,28
an individual provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(B)(ii)assures that any handicapped or elderly voter assigned to an inaccessible polling place, upon advance request of such voter[28] 52 U.S.C. 20102, U.S. Code 2024 edition (polling place access for elderly and disabled voters) · (b)(2)(B)will be provided with an alternative means for casting a ballot on the day of the election[28] 52 U.S.C. 20102, U.S. Code 2024 edition (polling place access for elderly and disabled voters) · (b)(2)(B)(ii)
Other older or disabled voters would follow the same ID rules as everyone else.
4
Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a ballot provided by[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(B)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 7008

H.R. 2978

GUARD Act

Latest official action Sep 16, 2026 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review

If you or a parent could be targeted by a scam

Local police get more tools to chase scammers

The bill covers fraud against older people and people with disabilities.
3
the illegal or improper use of the money, property, or other resources of an elderly individual or adult with a disability[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(1)
It also covers pig butchering: a scam where someone builds trust, then talks you into a fake crypto investment and disappears.
3
a confidence and investment fraud in which the victim is gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(4)
Grant money could also pay for training on helping victims.
3
assisting victims of financial fraud and exploitation[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(2)(B)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 2978

H.R. 3726

Fisher House Availability Act of 2026

Latest official action May 20, 2026 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review

If a veteran in your family lives in a Medicaid nursing home

A pension cap lasts six months longer

To pay for the bill, a $90 a month cap on VA pension for some nursing home residents would last until July 31, 2033.
3,6
is admitted to a VA or Medicaid sponsored nursing facility is capped at $90 a month[6] H. Rept. 119-630 · Section 3Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 31, 2033 and inserting July 31, 2033.[3] Engrossed in House (May 19, 2026) · Sec. 3This section would cover the costs of the other sections of this bill by extending this pension limitation by six months to July 31, 2033.[6] H. Rept. 119-630 · Section 3

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 3726

H.R. 7148

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

Latest official action Feb 3, 2026 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you have Medicare

Telehealth extended; a new cancer test later

Medicare's wider telehealth rules, which drop the usual location limits and allow more places of care, now last through December 31, 2027. They were set to end January 30, 2026.
2
Removing geographic requirements and expanding originating sites for telehealth services[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6209(a)by striking ending January 30, 2026 and inserting ending December 31, 2027[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6209(a)(1)
For tests given on or after January 1, 2029, Medicare can cover tests, such as blood tests, that look for many cancers at once.
2
The term multi-cancer early detection screening test means a test furnished to an individual for the concurrent detection of multiple cancer types across multiple organ sites on or after January 1, 2029, that—[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(a)(2) → inserted (nnn)(1)a genomic sequencing blood or blood product test that includes the analysis of cell-free nucleic acids; or[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(a)(2) → inserted (nnn)(1)(B)(i)
The test must be cleared, classified, or approved by the FDA, and the Health and Human Services Secretary must find it reasonable and necessary.
2
is cleared under section 510(k), classified under section 513(f)(2), or approved under section 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(a)(2) → inserted (nnn)(1)(A)reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of an illness or disability; and[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(a)(2) → inserted (nnn)(1)(C)(i)
Medicare will not pay if you are under 50, if you had the test in the past 11 months, or if on January 1 you have reached a set age.
2
is under 50 years of age; or[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(A)(i)(I)such a test was furnished to the individual during the previous 11 months.[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(A)(ii)as of January 1 of such year, has attained the age specified in subparagraph (B) for such year; or[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(A)(i)(II)
That age is 65 in 2029 and goes up by 1 each year after.
2
for 2029, 65 years of age; and[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(B)(i)for a succeeding year, the age specified in this subparagraph for the preceding year, increased by 1 year.[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(B)(ii)
For a test that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force rates A or B, these limits stop applying once Medicare covers it under its preventive services rules.
2
In the case of a multi-cancer early detection screening test that is recommended with a grade of A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, beginning on the date on which coverage for such test is provided pursuant to section 1861(ddd)(1), the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not apply.[2] Enrolled Bill · Div. J, Sec. 6221(b)(1) → inserted (aa)(2)(C)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 7148

H.R. 5371

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

Latest official action Nov 12, 2025 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you have Medicare

Telehealth rules extended to January 30, 2026

Medicare's wider telehealth rules, which let you have covered visits from home, run through January 30, 2026.
1,5
(2) allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services[1] Official bill status record for H.R. 5371 · CRS summary (Public Law)in paragraph (4)(C)(iii), by striking ending on September 30, 2025 and inserting ending on January 30, 2026.[5] H.R. 5371 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Div. F, Sec. 6208(a)(2)
Audio-only telehealth visits are also covered through that date.
5
Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)) is amended by striking ending on September 30, 2025 and inserting ending on January 30, 2026.[5] H.R. 5371 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Div. F, Sec. 6208(e)
A rule that you see a provider in person before Medicare pays for mental health care by telehealth is put off until January 31, 2026.
5,14
unless such physician or practitioner furnishes an item or service in person, without the use of telehealth[14] 42 U.S.C. 1395m, U.S. Code 2024 edition (Medicare payment rules, including telehealth) · (m)(7)(B)(i)by striking on or after October 1, 2025 and inserting on or after January 31, 2026.[5] H.R. 5371 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Div. F, Sec. 6208(d)(1)
Extra payments for some rural hospitals and ambulance rides are extended through January 30, 2026, too.
1
This section extends through January 30, 2026, the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program, which provides additional payments to certain small rural hospitals[1] Official bill status record for H.R. 5371 · CRS summary (Public Law)This section extends through January 30, 2026, certain increased payment adjustments for ground ambulance services in rural and other areas under Medicare.[1] Official bill status record for H.R. 5371 · CRS summary (Public Law)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 5371

H.R. 1

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Latest official action Jul 4, 2025 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you are 65 or older

An extra $6,000 deduction through 2028

Each person 65 or older can deduct an extra $6,000, for tax years that begin before January 1, 2029.
6
In the case of a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2029, there shall be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to $6,000 for each qualified individual with respect to the taxpayer.[6] H.R. 1 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Sec. 70103(a)(3) → inserted (C)(i)the taxpayer, if the taxpayer has attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year, and[6] H.R. 1 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Sec. 70103(a)(3) → inserted (C)(ii)(I)
It shrinks by 6 percent of income above $75,000, or $150,000 on a joint return.
6
the $6,000 amount in clause (i) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 6 percent of so much of the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income as exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return).[6] H.R. 1 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Sec. 70103(a)(3) → inserted (C)(iii)(I)
Married people must file jointly, and each person's Social Security number must be on the return.
6
If the taxpayer is a married individual (within the meaning of section 7703), this subparagraph shall apply only if the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse file a joint return for the taxable year.[6] H.R. 1 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Sec. 70103(a)(3) → inserted (C)(v)Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to a qualified individual unless the taxpayer includes such qualified individual's social security number on the return of tax for the taxable year.[6] H.R. 1 as passed by both chambers (enrolled) · Sec. 70103(a)(3) → inserted (C)(iv)(I)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 1

H.R. 1969

No Wrong Door for Veterans Act

Latest official action May 22, 2025 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review

If a veteran in your family lives in a Medicaid nursing home

A pension cap would last longer

To help pay for the bill, the $90 a month pension cap for some nursing home residents would last until January 30, 2033.
3,9
no pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the veteran for any period after the month of admission to such nursing facility[9] 38 U.S.C. 5503 (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (d)(2)Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting January 30, 2033.[3] Engrossed in House (May 22, 2025) · Sec. 4

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 1969

Breakdowns marked “Drafted by AI” passed our automatic checks and are waiting for human review, as shown on each bill page.