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Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1418| House 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
Dusty Johnson

Dusty Johnson

Republican Representative

South Dakota

Cosponsors (7)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Tom Cole (Republican)Michael Baumgartner (Republican)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025," significantly amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to redefine liability for medical services. It explicitly states that a patient is not liable for charges or costs associated with purchased/referred care services authorized by the Indian Health Service, overriding any other law or patient agreement. This protection extends against providers, debt collectors, and any other entity seeking payment. The bill further mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reimbursement process within 120 days for patients who have paid out-of-pocket for these authorized services. Patients must be reimbursed within 30 days of submitting documentation, which can be done electronically or in-person at an IHS facility. These reimbursement provisions do not apply to tribal self-determination programs unless explicitly agreed upon by the respective tribe. Additionally, the Act directs a comprehensive update of all relevant documents, including the Indian Health Manual, to replace the term "contract health care" with "purchased/referred care" and incorporate the new liability provisions.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7516
Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 18, 2025
Referred 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.
Feb 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-699
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7516
    Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 18, 2025
    Referred 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.


  • February 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-699
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Native Americans

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1418| House 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
This legislation, titled the "Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025," significantly amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to redefine liability for medical services. It explicitly states that a patient is not liable for charges or costs associated with purchased/referred care services authorized by the Indian Health Service, overriding any other law or patient agreement. This protection extends against providers, debt collectors, and any other entity seeking payment. The bill further mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reimbursement process within 120 days for patients who have paid out-of-pocket for these authorized services. Patients must be reimbursed within 30 days of submitting documentation, which can be done electronically or in-person at an IHS facility. These reimbursement provisions do not apply to tribal self-determination programs unless explicitly agreed upon by the respective tribe. Additionally, the Act directs a comprehensive update of all relevant documents, including the Indian Health Manual, to replace the term "contract health care" with "purchased/referred care" and incorporate the new liability provisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7516
Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 18, 2025
Referred 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.
Feb 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-699
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7516
    Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 18, 2025
    Referred 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.


  • February 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-699
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Dusty Johnson

Dusty Johnson

Republican Representative

South Dakota

Cosponsors (7)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Tom Cole (Republican)Michael Baumgartner (Republican)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted