[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4636-H4637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CHOICES FOR INCREASED MOBILITY ACT OF 2026
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1703) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to
clarify payment rules for manual wheelchairs under part B of the
Medicare program, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1703
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 ``Choices for Increased
Mobility Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. SPECIAL RULES RELATED TO TREATMENT OF CERTAIN MANUAL
WHEELCHAIRS UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
Section 1834(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395m(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(24) Special rules related to treatment of certain manual
wheelchairs.--
``(A) Requirement to establish separate hcpcs codes for
certain manual wheelchairs.--With respect to ultralightweight
manual wheelchairs payable under this subsection
[[Page H4637]]
furnished on or after January 1, 2028, the Secretary shall
establish two or more HCPCS codes, as determined appropriate
by the Secretary, for the base of such a wheelchair depending
on the construction material used in such base (with 1 or
more such codes for such a base with titanium or carbon fiber
construction material and 1 or more such codes for such a
base without such materials).
``(B) Payment and beneficiary protections.--
``(i) Payment.--On or after January 1, 2028, in the case
where an individual purchases or rents from a supplier an
ultralightweight manual wheelchair that has titanium or
carbon fiber construction material used in the base of such
wheelchair, payment to the supplier shall be made in the
frequency and amount as would otherwise be made under this
subsection (as described in paragraph (1)(A)) for such
wheelchair.
``(ii) Beneficiary charges.--The supplier may charge the
individual the difference between the supplier's actual
charge for such wheelchair and the payment amount described
in clause (i) for such wheelchair.
``(iii) Beneficiary protections.--In order to inform an
individual of the individual's potential financial liability
under clause (ii), the Secretary may require a supplier to
issue a notice to the individual (in a form and manner
determined by the Secretary) prior to the purchase or rental
of such ultralightweight manual wheelchair by such
individual.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
General Leave
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the
legislation and include extraneous material on H.R. 1703.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), my good friend, the sponsor of
this legislation, a valuable member of the Energy and Commerce
Committee, and head of the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations.
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my
legislation, H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act.
This important piece of legislation clarifies the payment rules for
manual wheelchairs under Medicare part B.
The bill allows Medicare patients the choice to decide whether a
titanium or a carbon-fiber wheelchair is right for them, giving
patients the option to pay out of pocket for wheelchair upgrades if
that is their choice.
To restore this choice for Medicare patients, this bill creates two
new wheelchair codes and enables upgrades within existing codes.
Importantly, this will remove barriers to patients, allowing the
patient to access the upgraded benefit at no additional cost to CMS.
We must remove obstacles that prevent patients from taking full
advantage of their Medicare benefits and give them the freedom to
choose the equipment that is right for the patient, a decision that has
profound impacts on their individual lives.
This bipartisan legislation will remove the barrier that has impeded
access to lightweight wheelchair options for individuals with mobility
impairments since 2016.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to see this important bill come to the House
floor today, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased
Mobility Act.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will clarify Medicare payment rules for ultra
lightweight manual wheelchairs and allow Medicare beneficiaries to
upgrade to wheelchairs with titanium or carbon fiber materials at their
own cost.
The bill would give beneficiaries the choice to select a wide range
of wheelchairs. Under the bill, seniors would have the choice to
acquire a wheelchair with titanium or carbon fiber materials through
the Medicare program with additional out-of-pocket costs. I am glad
that the bill would require suppliers to notify beneficiaries of the
additional financial liability.
Mr. Speaker, while I support this bill, I am concerned that the bill
only helps higher income seniors who can afford to pay out of pocket
for these additional upgrades beyond what is covered under the Medicare
program. The universality of the Medicare program and the fact that all
beneficiaries have access to the same benefits is an important
principle in my opinion.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1703, led by my
good friend who previously spoke, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Joyce).
Medicare beneficiaries should not be limited in their ability to
access the right wheelchair to help them move freely in their daily
lives. Ultimately, the payment clarifications in this legislation are
intended to improve access to wheelchair upgrades among Medicare
beneficiaries who choose to do so.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this
bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
This is a bipartisan bill. It is something we all support, and I
thank my colleagues for supporting it.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1703, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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