H.R. 6951 – Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 8, 2026 at 6:11 AM UTC

The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the mandate that states run a Medicaid estate recovery program and to tighten the rules on when a state can place a lien on a Medicaid recipient’s property. It directs states to remove existing liens within 90 days of the law’s enactment and to notify affected individuals or their representatives. The bill also bars states from initiating new adjustments or recoveries for correctly paid medical assistance after the law takes effect.

Key Provisions

Repeals the requirement that states establish a Medicaid estate recovery program
Limits the circumstances under which a state may place a lien on a Medicaid beneficiary’s property
Requires states to withdraw any existing liens within 90 days of enactment and to notify the affected individuals or their estates
Prohibits any new adjustments or recoveries of correctly paid medical assistance after the law’s effective date

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 6, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 6, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 6, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued January 6, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6951

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2026

Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Ms. Barragán, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Norton, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Omar, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Quigley, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Tonko, Mrs. Trahan, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to repeal the requirement that States establish a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program and to limit the circumstances in which a State may place a lien on a Medicaid beneficiary’s property.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act.

2.

Liens, adjustments, and recoveries for medical assistance

(a)

Liens

Section 1917(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking plan, except— and inserting plan, except, subject to paragraph (4)—; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking in the case of and inserting with respect to liens imposed before the date of the enactment of the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, in the case of; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Notwithstanding any preceding provision of this subsection, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, a State shall—

(A)

withdraw any lien imposed under paragraph (1)(B) that is in effect as of such date; and

(B)

notify each individual (or legal representative of such individual (or of such individual’s estate)) subject to such a lien so withdrawn of the withdrawal of such lien.

.

(b)

Adjustments and recoveries

Section 1917(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking except that and inserting except that, subject to paragraph (6),; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(6)

Notwithstanding any preceding provision of this subsection, no adjustment or recovery of any medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual under the State plan may be initiated, maintained, or collected on or after the date of the enactment of this paragraph. Not later than 90 days after such date, a State shall—

(A)

withdraw any lien in effect as of such date with respect to such medical assistance correctly paid; and

(B)

notify each individual (or legal representative of such individual (or of such individual’s estate)) subject to such a lien so withdrawn of the withdrawal of such lien and the prohibition on adjustment or recovery under this paragraph.

.