Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act of 2026
Uses the U.S. Virgin Islands’ geographic adjustment to calculate Medicare Advantage benchmarks for Puerto Rico.
In two House committees since Oct. 5, 2026, 3 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 5, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Medicare Advantage payment benchmarks include adjustments for geographic differences. The bill would use the U.S. Virgin Islands’ geographic adjustment when calculating benchmarks for Puerto Rico payment areas for specified years beginning in 2027. It does not specify whether this would increase or decrease payments.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Matches Puerto Rico’s geographic adjustment to the USVI’s
For each specified year beginning on or after January 1, 2027, the geographic adjustment used to calculate Medicare Advantage benchmarks for payment areas in Puerto Rico would equal the adjustment used for payment areas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The geographic adjustment is part of how Medicare Advantage payment benchmarks are calculated. Linking Puerto Rico’s adjustment to the U.S. Virgin Islands’ could change those benchmarks, but the bill does not state whether the adjustment would raise or lower them.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 5, 2026HOUSEOCT 5, 2026By Rep. Ruiz with 3 original cosponsorsReferred to Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeesOCT 5, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE · WAYS & MEANS NOWOCT 5, 2026In committee for 3 daysNo hearing yet
- 3 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 52026OCT 5, 2026REFERREDReferred 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.
- OCT 52026OCT 5, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 3, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 2 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Rep. Ruiz’s record: sponsored 38 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Gus M. BilirakisR-FL-12ORIGINAL
- Pablo José HernándezD-PR-ALORIGINAL
- Darren SotoD-FL-9ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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