H.R. 2108 – Retirement Freedom Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:47 AM UTC

The Retirement Freedom Act lets anyone who qualifies for Medicare Part A choose to decline that coverage. It also lets them later re‑enter the program without facing penalties, and it makes clear they don’t have to give up other Social Security benefits or repay money already received under Part A.

Key Provisions

Eligible individuals can formally elect to opt out of Medicare Part A, using a process the Health and Human Services Secretary will define.
Those who opt out can later decide to re‑enroll in Part A, again following a Secretary‑specified procedure, with no penalties for doing so.
People who opt out are not required to also opt out of Title II (Social Security) benefits as a condition of their election.
No repayment is required for any Medicare Part A services or items received before the individual chose to opt out.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Ways and Means Committee Health Subcommittee

April 4, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 4, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

April 4, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Ways and Means Committee Health Subcommittee

April 4, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 4, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2108

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 4, 2019

Mr. Palmer (for himself and Mr. Gosar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Retirement Freedom Act.

2.

Allowing individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit

Any individual who is otherwise entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act may elect (in such form and manner as may be specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to opt out of such entitlement. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of an individual who makes such an election, such individual—

(1)

may (in such form and manner as may be specified by the Secretary) subsequently choose to end such election and opt back into such entitlement (in accordance with a process determined by the Secretary) without being subject to any penalty;

(2)

shall not be required to opt out of benefits under title II of such Act as a condition for making such election; and

(3)

shall not be required to repay any amount paid under such part A for items and services furnished prior to making such election.