119th Congress · introduced in the House · Jul 15, 2026
Patients First Act of 2026
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jul 15, 2026): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Health
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Jul 15, 2026)
Patients First Act of 2026
This bill modifies payments and incentive programs under the Medicare physician fee schedule.
The bill establishes a temporary program to provide hybrid payments for certain primary care services. Under the program, payments for services relating to care management, behavioral health integration, office-based evaluation and management (including telehealth), and communications (e.g., phone calls) are made on a monthly basis to providers for each individual that is attributed to the provider's practice. The monthly amount is based on the national average amount for such services. Providers may opt into the model; in order to qualify, providers must be owned or controlled by health care practitioners and must have had the majority of their prior year's payments consist of payments for the covered services.
The bill also renames the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and modifies the program to include performance measures relating to care efficiency (e.g., reducing avoidable hospitalizations). (MIPS is an incentive program under Medicare that allows health professionals to receive payment adjustments based on certain performance measures.) The bill generally reduces the program's performance-based payment adjustments, including positive adjustments for providers that are not owned or controlled by health care practitioners.
Finally, the bill allows for larger annual adjustments to the Medicare physician fee schedule and bases these adjustments on inflation. It also requires certain corrections to compensate for expenditures under the fee schedule that exceed a certain amount in a given year, and it limits how much certain adjustment factors may vary each year.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
121 citations; showing the 25 most recently posted.
THE AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION, INC. (AOTA) · lobbying firm or registrant: THE AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION, INC. (AOTA)
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 22, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$189,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R.879 Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act - support passage H.R. 9693 - the Patient's First Act - support passage, particularly provisions providing an annual inflationary update to the physician fee schedule. H.R. 8163 and S. 51…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS · lobbying firm or registrant: MASON CONSULTING, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$24,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…edical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 H.R. 7106, Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act H.R. 7787, Mental Health Workforce Act H.R. 7973/S. 5283, Momnibus Act H.R. 9693, Patients First Act of 2026 H.R. 10410, Educating Future Nurses Act S. 683/H.R. 7324, More Behavioral Health Providers Act S. 717/H.R. 6894, Increasing Access…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$393,240
Spent on own lobbying
…em Act of 2026, to transform the Merit-based Incentive Payment System into the Data-driven Performance Payment System under the Medicare physician fee schedule H.R. 9693-Patients First Act of 2026, to modify certain physician payments under the Medicare program S. 106-Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025, to…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
US PHYSICIAN PARTNERS (INFORMAL COALITION) · lobbying firm or registrant: SIMS STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$80,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…Act. Issues related to Medicare flexibilities during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Education on Medicare and Medicaid policies in H.R. 1 (P.L. 119-21). H.R. 9693, the Patients First Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ADVION (FORMERLY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF LONG TERM CARE) · lobbying firm or registrant: SIMS STRATEGIES, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 21, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ct to expand practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program. S. 1816/H.R. 3514, Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. H.R. 9693, the Patients First Act. H.R. 9844, the Connecting Health and Records Technology for Seniors (CHARTS) Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS · lobbying firm or registrant: CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$35,000
Spent on own lobbying
…yment System Act: To reform the Merit-based Incentive Payment System into the Data-driven Performance Payment System under the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.9693, Patients First Act: To modify MACRA to reform the Medicare physician payment system, including positive payment updates and improvements to the quality paymen…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$35,000
Spent on own lobbying
…yment System Act: To reform the Merit-based Incentive Payment System into the Data-driven Performance Payment System under the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.9693, Patients First Act: To modify MACRA to reform the Medicare physician payment system, including positive payment updates and improvements to the quality paymen…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS INC · lobbying firm or registrant: BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$10,000
Spent on own lobbying
…urity Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services and primary care services furnished on the same day. Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] H.R.9693 - Patients First Act of 2026 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modify certain physician payments under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Joy…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC · lobbying firm or registrant: PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$308,925
Spent on own lobbying
…ct (H.R. 7651/H.R. 5843) State Offices of Womens Health Support and Expansion Act (H.R. 9842) Access to Claims Data Act (H.R. 4331) Patients First Act of 2026 (H.R. 9693) A Medicaid fix bill (not introduced yet) Strengthening the Exercise of Controls and Upgrading Requirements for Efficiency (SECURE) in 340B Act (H.R. 9599) SUS…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · lobbying firm or registrant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$50,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R.6160, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.9693, Patients First Act of 2026 H.R.5454/S.2879, Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act. H.R.3514/S.1816, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act. H.R.9970, the RES…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS INC (AHIP) · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS, INC. (AHIP)
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$3,010,000
Spent on own lobbying
…loyd - MA risk adjustment and requirements H.R. 9644 - Medicare Advantage MLR Transparency Act - Rep. Moran, Nathaniel - MA plan revenue and benefits reporting H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act - Rep. Joyce, John - Medicare physician fee schedule reform H.R. 10374 - Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act - Rep. Sewell, Terri - Part D…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CENCORA, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: CENCORA, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$405,804
Spent on own lobbying
…ursement CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule CMS FY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Distributor bona fide service fees Patients First Act of 2026 (H.R.9693)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FAMILIES USA FOUNDATION INC · lobbying firm or registrant: FAMILIES USA FOUNDATION, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…e Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with establishing hybrid payments to reward primary care providers who provide the best care to their patients H.R. 9693Patients First ActLegislation to modify payments and incentive programs under the Medicare physician fee schedule. S.5089/HR9832Medicare Dental Benefit ActTo am…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
THE PERMANENTE FEDERATION, LLC · lobbying firm or registrant: THE PERMANENTE FEDERATION, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
$110,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R.6248 - Healthy Competition for Better Care Act S.4027 - Healthy Competition for Better Care Act H.R.9393 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act H.R.9693 - Patients First Act S.2355 - Patients Deserve Price Tags Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$3,840,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ct, all provisions; H.R. 9642, Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act, all provisions; H.R. 9644, Medicare Advantage MLR Transparency Act, all provisions; H.R. 9693, Patients First Act of 2026, all provisions; H.R. 8163, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, all provisions; H.R. 8622, Medicare Physician Data-driven…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INC · lobbying firm or registrant: CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$40,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 8163: Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026; provisions related to Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) budget neutrality H.R. 9693: Patients First Act of 2026; all provisions S. 5180: Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 ; all provisions CMS-1848-P: Medicare Physician Payment Rule;…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
DALLAS NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES (DVAC REF) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
Physician payment and policy issues relating to dialysis vascular access services; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
BALBOA NEPHROLOGY MEDICAL GROUP (DVAC REF) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
Physician payment and policy issues relating to dialysis vascular access services; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
AMERICAN VEIN & LYMPHATIC SOCIETY (OFFICE-BASED FACILITY ASSN OBFA) (FKA USPA) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
Physician payment and policy issues relating to dialysis vascular access services; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY QUALITY AND INNOVATION (OBFA FKA USPA) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
Physician payment and policy issues relating to dialysis vascular access services; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
ABBOTT (CVC) (FKA CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC, CARDIOVASCULAR COALITION) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
…ed to peripheral arterial disease and other cardiovascular issues; H.R.307 - ARC Act of 2025; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
ABBOTT (CVC) (FKA CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC, CARDIOVASCULAR COALITION) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · amended · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
Amount not reported
…ed to peripheral arterial disease and other cardiovascular issues; H.R.307 - ARC Act of 2025; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS · lobbying firm or registrant: SPLITOAK STRATEGIES LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Physician payment issues, including Patients First Act (H.R.9693); access to primary care; ECAPS Act; health care access and affordability issues
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
REVENUE CYCLE CODING STRATEGIES AND RC BILLING (MPSA) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Health Issues
Amount not reported
Medicare Reimbursement Policy; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
REVENUE CYCLE CODING STRATEGIES AND RC BILLING (MPSA) · lobbying firm or registrant: LIBERTY PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Medicare/Medicaid
Amount not reported
Medicare Reimbursement Policy; H.R.7863 - Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026; H.R. 9693 - Patients First Act of 2026
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing