Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026

Todd Young

Republican · IN · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA)Original· 2026-03-12
• Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)· 2026-05-11
• James C. Justice (R-WV)· 2026-05-11

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

2026-03-12

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would expand Medicare coverage for foot care services for people with diabetes, allowing more patients to access preventive foot exams and treatments from podiatrists and other foot care specialists without having to pay out of pocket. The change aims to help diabetic patients catch foot problems early, which can prevent serious complications like infections and amputations that are costly to treat. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee.

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] [S. 4070 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4070 To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 12, 2026 Mr. Young (for himself and Mr. Warnock) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes. 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 ``Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. RECOGNIZING DOCTORS OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE AS PHYSICIANS UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Section 1905(a)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ``section 1861(r)(1)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 1861(r)''. (b) Effective Date.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. (2) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.-- In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made by subsection (a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. SEC. 3. CLARIFYING MEDICARE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THERAPEUTIC SHOES FOR PERSONS WITH DIABETES. (a) In General.--Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(12)) is amended to read as follows: ``(12) extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded shoes with inserts for an individual with diabetes, if-- ``(A) a physician as defined in subsection (r) of this section-- ``(i) documents that the individual has peripheral neuropathy that may include altered foot sensation, weakness, or diminished motor control of the lower extremity; a history of pre-ulcerative calluses or other ulceration of the foot; foot deformity, previous lower extremity amputation, or poor lower extremity circulation; ``(ii) attests that the individual has a diabetes diagnosis and is under a comprehensive plan of care related to the individual's diabetic condition; and ``(iii) attests that the individual needs such shoes; and ``(B) the shoes are fitted and furnished by a physician or other qualified individual (such as a pedorthist or orthotist) as established by the Secretary;''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1877(h)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.…

1395nn(h)(6)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following: ``(M) Extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded shoes with inserts.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2028. <all>

• S4657A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-06-02
• S4653A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for loan interest payments made with respect to certain vehicles.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-06-02
• S4629A bill to prohibit the provision of Federal funds to State and local governments and school districts for payment of obligations, to prohibit the Federal Reserve banks, the Department of the Treasury, and other Federal agencies from financially assisting State and local governments and school districts that have defaulted on their obligations, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-05-21
• S4539Protecting Charitable Giving Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-05-14