hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Removes a budget rule for Medicaid pilot programs.
Ms. Pettersen (D-CO) and Mr. Van Drew (R-NJ)
Introduced in the House, referred to committee
This bill proposes to eliminate a federal rule that requires certain state-run Medicaid demonstration projects (known as 1115 waivers) to be "budget neutral." This means states would no longer have to prove these experimental programs will not increase federal spending. It was introduced by Representative Pettersen from Colorado and Representative Van Drew from New Jersey, and is currently in the initial stages of the legislative process.
Introduced Apr 9, 2026
The bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review. For it to become law, it must pass through this committee, be voted on and passed by the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, states would have more freedom to design new Medicaid programs without having to ensure they won't cost the federal government extra money. This could lead to states trying out different ways to deliver care or covering new services for Medicaid recipients. Because the budget neutrality requirement would be removed, the federal government's spending on these specific Medicaid projects could increase.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue it gives states needed flexibility to innovate and better serve their Medicaid populations.
Critics Say
Critics might say it could lead to uncontrolled federal spending on healthcare without proper oversight.
Those in favor of the bill would likely emphasize that removing the budget neutrality rule allows states to be more responsive to their communities' unique healthcare needs and experiment with more effective ways to use Medicaid. Opponents might raise concerns about the potential for federal spending to increase significantly without a cap, possibly leading to budget strains or a lack of accountability for project costs.