S. 1030 – Retirement Freedom Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:46 AM UTC

The Retirement Freedom Act would let people who are eligible for Medicare Part A choose to opt out of that coverage. It also lets them later re‑enter the program without any penalty. The bill makes clear that opting out of Part A does not force a person to give up Social Security benefits, and they would not have to repay any Medicare payments they received before opting out.

Key Provisions

Anyone entitled to Medicare Part A could formally elect to opt out of the benefit.
Those who opt out could later choose to re‑enter Medicare Part A, following a process set by the Health and Human Services Secretary, without facing penalties.
Opting out of Part A would not require a person to also opt out of Social Security (title II) benefits.
Individuals would not be required to repay any Medicare Part A payments for services received before they opted out.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Finance Committee

April 4, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 4, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Finance Committee

April 4, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 4, 2019

II

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1030

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 4, 2019

Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Lee) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

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.