ICYMI: Schrier-Led Patients First Act and Five Other Healthcare Bills Featured During Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing

September 18, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) joined her colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for a health subcommittee hearing titled “ Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity . ” During the hearing, Congresswoman Schrier advocated for six of her bills – including her bipartisan Patients First Act that aims to establish comprehensive Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) reform. During the hearing, Congresswoman Schrier said: “It’s time for Congress to right the ship and to enact long-term reform to physician payment. We can’t pass another short term fix, and leave everyone on edge until the end of the year like we’ve done for so many years. Without Patients First , physician practices will continue to close or be bought out by large hospital systems, private equity, or insurance companies, and that just raises the cost of care for everyone.” “And without support for primary care, we can expect to see fewer and fewer medical students pursue that path. I urge this committee to move this legislation to straight markup. We need to pass the Patients First Act immediately," Schrier continued. More information on Schrier’s six bills that were featured in today’s hearing can be found below: H.R. 9693, The Patients First Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03)) H.R. 8163, The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) and Brad Schneider (IL-10)) H.R. 4331, The Access to Claims Data Act (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13)) H.R. 9908, The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Erin Houchin (IN-09)) H.R. 1254, The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act (Led by Reps. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Young Kim (CA-40), and Dan Meuser (PA-09)) H.R. 7905, The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 (Led by Reps Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Diana DeGette (CO-01)) Watch Congresswoman Schrier’ remarks HERE . Watch the full hearing HERE . ### Issues : Congress Health