Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
Introduced May 4, 2026 by Rep. Mike Kennedy
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill extends from 72 hours to not less than 15 days the time period to notify the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program of emergency medical care received from a non-Indian Health Service (IHS) medical provider or at a non-IHS medical facility. This bill does not apply to individuals who are elderly or disabled, who continue to have a 30-day notification requirement for emergency services.
The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. The PRC program pays for medical or dental care that is provided away from an IHS or tribal health care facility. The PRC program must be notified of requests for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider.
Currently in emergency cases, the patient, an individual on behalf of the patient, or the medical care provider must, within 72 hours after the beginning of treatment for the condition or after admission to a health care facility, notify a PRC authorizing official of the need for the emergency medical care. This bill instead allows the patient, other individual, or provider to notify PRC not less than 15 days of the treatment or admission.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate.
- Sep 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5576)
- Sep 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5576)
- Sep 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8658.
- Sep 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5576-5578)
- Sep 14, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 679.
- Aug 27, 2026Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
- Aug 27, 2026Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-778, Part I.
- Jul 15, 2026Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 15, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 15, 2026Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- May 21, 2026Subcommittee Hearings Held
- May 12, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- May 4, 2026Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
- May 4, 2026Introduced in House