The Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA) supports two bills that were recently introduced in Congress. The Medicare Cost Cap Act would create a $5,000 out-of-pocket cap in traditional Medicare for Part A and B expenses. The bill would also improve the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) by, among other things, eliminating the asset test, raising income eligibility and easing administrative burdens.
As noted in a press release issued by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Senator Ron Wyden (June 25, 2026), “[a]n out-of-pocket cap will level the playing field between Traditional Medicare and [Medicare Advantage] and guarantee that all people with Medicare are protected, no matter what coverage option they choose.”
CMA is also supporting a bill introduced by Rep. Lloyd Doggett titled the Saving MEDICARE Act which would address wasteful overpayments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. As noted in Rep. Doggett’s press release (July 1, 2026), the bill would, among other things, prevent upcoding, improve benchmark payments, end the Quality Bonus Program, permit the Veterans Administration to collect reimbursement from MA plans for care delivered to dually-enrolled veterans, and enhance oversight by establishing further guidance for audits and giving state insurance commissioners the opportunity to share enforcement authority over Medicare Advantage plans. As noted in the press release, the Brown University Center for Advancing Health Through Research estimates that the bill would save $2.5 trillion over 10 years.
July 2, 2026 – D. Lipschutz