H.R. 9851 – Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

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Updated July 23, 2026 at 8:38 AM UTC

The Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026 amends the Social Security Act to require health‑care providers that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds to let patients have a clergy member visit them if the patient asks. The rule would start on January 1, 2028 and would apply even if a provider has a waiver under section 1135.

Key Provisions

Adds a new requirement (subparagraph Z) that, upon a patient’s request, a designated clergy member must be allowed access to the patient receiving services.
The requirement takes effect on January 1, 2028.
The rule applies despite any waiver under section 1135, but the clergy must follow safety measures and protocols set by the Secretary in consultation with providers, states, and religious groups.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

Ways and Means Committee

July 22, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

Ways and Means Committee

July 22, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 22, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9851

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 22, 2026

Mr. Flood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of services to provide patients access to clergy.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026 or the PASTOR Act of 2026.

2.

Requiring providers of services to provide patients access to clergy

Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (X), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period and inserting , and; and

(3)

by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph:

(Z)

beginning January 1, 2028, upon request of an individual receiving items and services from such provider and notwithstanding any waiver under section 1135, to allow a member of clergy designated by such individual access to such individual, provided that such clergy member adheres to such safety measures and other protocols as may be specified by the Secretary (in consultation with providers of services, States, and religious organizations).

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