119 HR 9107 IH: Patient Choice and Access Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-06-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9107IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 2, 2026Mr. 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 CommerceA BILLTo amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that qualified health plans are not required to use a provider network.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Patient Choice and Access Act of 2026.

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..