Patient Choice and Access Act of 2026

Michael A. Rulli

Republican · OH · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Aaron Bean (R-FL-4)Original· 2026-06-02
• H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9)Original· 2026-06-02
• Troy Balderson (R-OH-12)Original· 2026-06-02

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-06-02

Source: Congress.gov

Health insurance companies would no longer be required to maintain networks of doctors and hospitals under this proposal, meaning they could offer plans that let patients see any healthcare provider they want without restrictions. This change would affect people buying insurance through the health law's marketplaces, potentially giving them more freedom to choose their doctors but possibly affecting costs and coverage details. Insurance companies and patients would be the main groups impacted by this shift in how health plans operate.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9107 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9107 To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that qualified health plans are not required to use a provider network. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 2, 2026 Mr. Rulli (for himself, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Balderson, and Mr. Bean of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that qualified health plans are not required to use a provider network. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Patient Choice and Access Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. PROVIDING THAT QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE A PROVIDER NETWORK. (a) In General.--Section 1311(c)(2) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``; clarification on use of provider networks'' after ``Rule of construction''; (2) by striking ``Nothing in'' and inserting: ``(A) Rule of construction.--Nothing in''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(B) Clarification on use of provider networks.-- For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, the Secretary may not require a plan to maintain a provider network in order to meet the criteria established under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1).''. (b) Exchange Certification.--Section 1311(e)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(e)(1)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(iv) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, on the basis that the plan does not maintain a provider network.''. (c) Transparency Requirements for Qualified Health Plans Without Provider Networks.--Section 1311(c)(1) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(J) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, in the case of a plan that does not maintain a provider network-- ``(i) provide information in plain language to plan enrollees and potential enrollees with respect to expected out-of-pocket costs and the potential for balance billing; and ``(ii) provide adequate customer service or online provider search assistance resources to assist plan enrollees and potential enrollees in finding providers in their area who will accept the plan's benefit amounts as payment in full for items and services for which benefits are available under the plan.''. <all>

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