Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7118

Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026

Congress Proposes Requiring Medicaid to Cover Advanced Genetic Testing for Children with Rare Diseases

Jan 15·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Next up: A house committeeNo action in 6 months

This bill is currently in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where it must be reviewed before it can move forward. No action has been taken on the bill since January 14, 2026. Because there has been no progress for five months, the bill is considered stalled.

Legislative Progress

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Senate

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Law

Key Points

This bill, introduced in Congress, would require Medicaid to pay for advanced genetic testing, known as whole genome and whole exome sequencing, for children. It is designed for kids who have suspected rare diseases, genetic disorders, or unexplained health issues like developmental delays or intellectual disabilities.
Doctors would be allowed to order these tests as a first-tier option to find answers for a child's condition. The policy also covers testing for a child's parents or siblings if that information is necessary to help diagnose or treat the child's specific medical needs.
To ensure these tests are accessible, the bill requires Medicaid to pay for them separately rather than bundling them into a general hospital bill. This prevents the high cost of the tests from being a financial barrier for hospitals and clinics that serve low-income families.
The Department of Health and Human Services would be required to work with doctors, hospitals, and patient groups to spread awareness about this coverage. They must also track how many children receive these tests and whether the testing leads to better health outcomes or changes in medical care.
If passed, these new rules would take effect on January 1, 2027. The government would also be required to study remaining challenges, such as insurance paperwork delays or a shortage of genetic counselors, to make sure families can actually get the help they need.

HealthcareMedicare Medicaid

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(4)

Medicaid

Helps

This bill would explicitly require Medicaid to cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children suspected of having genetic disorders, rare diseases, or unexplained health conditions. Currently, coverage for these advanced tests varies by state and is often denied or delayed. By making it a clearly defined Medicaid benefit with separate payment, more low-income families could get answers about their child's condition without fighting through insurance red tape.

Cognitive Developmental

Helps

Children with global developmental delays or intellectual disabilities are specifically named in the bill as eligible for this genetic testing. Getting a genomic diagnosis can help doctors understand the root cause of a child's delays and tailor treatments or therapies more precisely, rather than relying on trial-and-error approaches.

Chronic Illness

Helps

Children with rare diseases or genetic disorders that cause ongoing health problems could benefit from faster, more accurate diagnoses through whole genome or exome sequencing. Early identification of the genetic cause can lead to more targeted treatments, potentially improving quality of life and reducing years of unnecessary or ineffective medical interventions.

Physical Disability

Helps

Children with congenital anomalies or physical conditions of unknown origin would qualify for covered genetic testing under this bill. A genomic diagnosis can help doctors understand the full scope of a child's condition and anticipate related health issues, leading to more comprehensive and proactive care.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 15, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Related News

5 articles

GenomeWeb·Jan 15

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Cover Genomic Sequencing in Sick Children

A bipartisan coalition introduced the Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act to mandate Medicaid coverage for whole genome and whole exome sequencing. The bill aims to end the 'diagnostic odyssey' for children with rare diseases by clarifying that these tests are covered under EPSDT benefits.

Center

The Floridian·Jan 19

Gus Bilirakis Introduces Bill Expanding Children's Genomic Sequencing Access Under Medicaid

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act to clarify that genomic sequencing is a qualified part of Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) system, helping families avoid years of costly and uncertain diagnostic testing.

Center Right

Diagnostics World News·Jan 21

Baylor Genetics Supports Bipartisan House Bill to Broaden Medicaid Access to Genomic Sequencing for Children who Meet Medical Criteria

Baylor Genetics and a coalition of 28 organizations announced support for the Genomic Answers for Children's Health Act. The legislation requires Medicaid to provide a separate payment for inpatient sequencing, preventing high costs from becoming a financial barrier to access for families.

Center

No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.