H.R. 261 – Puerto Rico Medicare Part B Equality Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:18 AM UTC

The Puerto Rico Medicare Part B Equality Act changes the Social Security Act so that people living in Puerto Rico are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B, just as residents of the states are. It also provides a special enrollment window and limits penalties for late enrollment, with the start date to be set by the Health and Human Services Secretary.

Key Provisions

Removes the phrase “exclusive of Puerto Rico” from the Medicare Part B deemed‑enrollment rule, so Puerto Rico residents are automatically enrolled like other U.S. residents.
Creates a special enrollment period for Puerto Rico residents and caps any late‑enrollment penalties.
Sets the rule to take effect for people whose initial enrollment period starts on or after a date that the HHS Secretary will specify.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 25, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

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.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 4, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 13, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 25, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 261

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2017

Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico introduced the following bill; which was 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

A BILL

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply deemed enrollment to residents of Puerto Rico.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Medicare Part B Equality Act.

2.

Application of part B deemed enrollment process to residents of Puerto Rico; special enrollment period and limit on late enrollment penalties

(a)

Application of part B deemed enrollment process to residents of Puerto Rico

Section 1837(f)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p(f)(3)) is amended by striking , exclusive of Puerto Rico.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to individuals whose initial enrollment period under section 1837(d) of the Social Security Act begins on or after the first day of the effective month, specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1839(j)(1)(C) of such Act, as added by subsection (c)(2).