Jayapal, Deluzio, Dingell, Ryan Introduce Bill to Lower Medicare Eligibility Age

10.23.2026 | News Jayapal, Deluzio, Dingell, Ryan Introduce Bill to Lower Medicare Eligibility Age WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Pat Ryan (NY-18) are introducing the Improving Medicare Coverage Act , legislation that would lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50 from 65 and make major coverage improvements. “Lowering the Medicare eligibility age will be life-saving for the millions of Americans who are waiting an additional 15 years to be able to afford to see a doctor,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Expanding Medicare is not only popular, it is also morally the right thing to do. Millions leave the workforce before 65, and with Trump’s cuts to healthcare, many are now left without any options as they wait, sometimes years, for Medicare enrollment. Expanding this program is a commonsense step towards ensuring that all Americans have the care they deserve.” “Especially after Trump’s healthcare cuts, expanding Medicare to Americans age 50 and up will save lives and get so many Americans the healthcare they need,” said Rep. Deluzio . “I am proud to support Rep. Jayapal’s Improving Medicare Coverage Act —this is an important steppingstone on the way to bigger healthcare reform where every American has good and decent healthcare.” “For millions of Americans who cannot afford to go to the doctor, it is too late to receive preventive care by the time they reach age 65,” said Rep. Dingell. “The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to healthcare for all its citizens, and this needs to change now. I am proud to introduce this legislation to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50, improve the Medicare Savings Program, and make lifesaving drugs more affordable.” “While Trump and Republicans cut your healthcare and raise your costs, we’re fighting back and putting your care first. But we’re not just reversing the harm – we’re building something better in its place, where millions more Americans will be able to access and afford the care they deserve right when they need it,” said Rep. Ryan. “This legislation expands healthcare coverage to millions of Americans, takes decisive action to lower costs, and makes sure that everyone who needs it has access to quality healthcare, and won’t have to wait to get the cancer screenings, preventative care, and prescriptions they need. This is a commonsense bill, and I look forward to passing it through the Democratically-controlled House next year.” At age 50, the risks for several chronic conditions and cancers naturally increase. The median ages for many cancer diagnoses fall below 65 years of age: For instance, 61 is the average age for a breast cancer diagnosis. Adults in late middle age who lack health insurance are more likely to die or experience a preventable decline in their overall health . Lowering the healthcare eligibility age would improve the chances of being diagnosed early and surviving treatable diseases. As of 2024 , adults aged 55-64 made up 11.5 percent of the entire uninsured population in the U.S. The cuts to healthcare in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act are anticipated to remove 15 million Americans from their coverage, and 22 million Americans are paying over $1,000 more than they were before the Affordable Care Act tax credits expired. To address these cuts and the increased costs to planholders, lowering the Medicare eligibility age is an important step towards ensuring all Americans have health coverage. The legislation would also substantially reduce racial and ethnic health disparities in insurance coverage and healthcare. In addition to lowering costs for older adults and improving patient outcomes, it is estimated that lowering the Medicare age could reduce costs for employers by up to 43 percent. The Improving Medicare Coverage Act would: Lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50; Establish a Medicare Cost Assistance Program to replace the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), and the Qualifying Individual (QI) programs with one program covering specified Part A premiums and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for individuals with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Enhance prescription drug affordability by: Expanding access to assistance with out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities; Combining the existing Extra Help and Low Income Subsidy programs into one program; Raising the eligibility from 135% FPL to 200% FPL; and Removing the asset test. Ensure that any individual making under 400% FPL who is not eligible for the Medicare Savings Program maintains the same eligibility for marketplace premium tax credits. The Improving Medicare Coverage Act is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Everton Blair (GA-13), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jason Crow (CO-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Ted Lieu (CA-36), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Smith (WA-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). This legislation is endorsed by Center for Health and Democracy, Labor Campaign for Single Payer, MoveOn, People’s Action Institute, Physicians for a National Health Program, Public Citizen, SEIU, United Auto Workers. The full text of the legislation is available here . Issues: Health Care Share: Facebook Twitter Mail