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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7905

Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026

Rep. Joyce Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicaid Foot Care and Simplify Medicare Diabetic Shoe Rules

14 days ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means for review. The bill is actively moving, but no further hearings or votes have been scheduled at this time.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • The bill officially recognizes podiatrists (doctors of podiatric medicine) as physicians under Medicaid, which means Medicaid patients can more easily see foot specialists for care. Currently, podiatrists are recognized as physicians under Medicare but not under Medicaid, creating a gap in coverage.

    From policy text

    “To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care”
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  • For Medicare patients with diabetes, the bill simplifies the documentation process for getting therapeutic shoes. Instead of requiring a managing physician and a separate certifying doctor, a single physician (including a podiatrist) can document the patient's condition and attest to the need for diabetic shoes.
  • The Medicaid changes would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, while the Medicare therapeutic shoe documentation changes take effect on January 1, 2028. States that need to change their own laws get extra time to comply.

    From policy text

    “the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026”
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  • The bill has bipartisan support, introduced by Rep. Joyce of Pennsylvania along with five cosponsors from both parties. It was referred to two House committees: Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means.

    From policy text

    “Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Rulli, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Kennedy of Utah, and Mr. Soto) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means”
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  • The bill also adds therapeutic diabetic shoes to an exception list under Medicare's physician self-referral rules, making it clearer that doctors can prescribe and document the need for these shoes without running into anti-kickback concerns.

    From policy text

    “Section 1877(h)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395nn(h)(6)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following: ``(M) Extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded shoes with inserts.''”
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Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 12, 2026House

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

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7905
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
D: 3R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.