Search any bill in Congress.

The Medicare Low Income Subsidy Equality Act of 2026 aims to amend the Social Security Act to provide equal access to Medicare Part D low-income subsidies for residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. Currently, these residents do not receive the same premium and cost-sharing assistance available to low-income beneficiaries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bill removes existing restrictions that exclude territories from these subsidies and adjusts poverty line calculations to use the standard applied to the contiguous states and D.C., ensuring consistent eligibility criteria.

Additionally, the bill modifies Medicaid funding formulas to increase federal assistance to Puerto Rico and other territories starting in 2027. It establishes a new method for calculating Medicaid funding for these areas, linking it to federal medical assistance percentages and adjusting for annual growth. These changes aim to improve healthcare affordability and access for low-income individuals in U.S. territories by increasing financial support for prescription drug costs and Medicaid services.

If enacted, this legislation could reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries in territories, potentially improving medication adherence and health outcomes. It also addresses longstanding disparities in federal healthcare funding between states and territories. However, implementation will require administrative adjustments and increased federal spending. The bill's effective dates are January 1, 2027, for Medicare subsidy changes and the date of enactment for Medicaid funding amendments.