Congress·In Committee·H.R. 9851

Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

Medicare: Access to Clergy in Hospitals

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

Next up: A house committee

A house committee must act next: committee consideration.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Unlikely to pass

The bill is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and has not yet been voted on by any committees. It will need more support from both parties to move forward.

Key Points

This bill requires hospitals and other healthcare facilities that accept Medicare to let patients see a religious leader if they ask for one.
Patients would be able to choose which specific member of the clergy they want to visit them while they are receiving medical treatment.
The rule would stay in place even during national emergencies or pandemics. This means hospitals could not block religious visits even if other normal rules are suspended.
To keep patients and staff safe, the visiting religious leaders would have to follow health and safety protocols set by the government.
If this bill becomes law, these new requirements for healthcare providers would begin on January 1, 2028.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jul 22, 2026House

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.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Jul 22, 2026

Introduced in House

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

No votes, news coverage, or related bills recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 9851

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred 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.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.