Bills · HR 8377
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 8377Health
Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026
This bill prohibits private Medicare Advantage plans from using prior authorization for most medical services and requires human doctors to review any coverage denials to prevent AI-driven healthcare rationing.AI-written
INTRO APR 20· LAST ACTION APR 20
PASSAGE CHANCESLONG SHOT
10%
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenStops Medicare Advantage plans from requiring pre-approval for most medical services and bans the use of AI to automatically deny healthcare claims without a human doctor's review.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenPrior authorization is one of the most controversial aspects of modern American healthcare. While insurance companies argue it prevents unnecessary procedures and keeps costs down, many patients and doctors argue that it leads to dangerous delays in life-saving care. If this bill becomes law, the power to decide which treatments are necessary would shift significantly back toward individual doctors and away from insurance company algorithms.
This matters because of the rising use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The bill specifically blocks the government from using AI or computer logic to deny care unless a human doctor reviews the case and agrees. In a world where automated systems are increasingly making decisions about who gets care, this bill establishes a 'human-in-the-loop' requirement to ensure medical judgment takes priority over cost-saving software.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Bans Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization for medical items and services starting January 1, 2027.
This removes the primary hurdle patients face when trying to access specialized care or surgeries through private Medicare plans.
PROVISION 02
Requires a human physician to individually review and approve any denial of coverage for traditional Medicare.
It prevents insurance companies and the government from using 'black box' AI algorithms to automatically reject medical claims without a doctor's oversight.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits the implementation of the 'WISeR' model and similar programs that test prior authorization in traditional Medicare.
It stops the government from experimenting with more restrictive approval processes for people not in private plans.
PROVISION 04
Mandates a public notice and comment period for all new Medicare payment models starting in 2027.
This ensures the public and healthcare providers have a voice before the government changes how medical services are paid for or approved.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
50
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 6 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 20
Introduced in House
APR 20
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 8377
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 20, 2026
Last actionApr 20, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 20, 2026
House BillHR 8377Health
Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026
This bill prohibits private Medicare Advantage plans from using prior authorization for most medical services and requires human doctors to review any coverage denials to prevent AI-driven healthcare rationing.AI-written
INTRODUCED APR 20, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 20, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
10%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
