Dr. Miller-Meeks, Congressional Doctors Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Restore Accountability in Medicare Advantage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D., joined fellow physician members of Congress in introducing the bipartisan Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026, legislation aimed at restoring accountability, strengthening patient protections, and ensuring seniors receive timely, reliable care.

The bill takes on growing concerns within Medicare Advantage by increasing transparency, cracking down on abusive practices, and aligning coverage standards with traditional Medicare to better serve America’s seniors.

“For too long, cases of abuse have crept into Medicare Advantage, pulling it away from its core mission of serving America’s seniors,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “As a physician, I’ve seen how these practices delay care, create unnecessary barriers, and increase the cost of healthcare. This bill restores accountability, cracks down on bad actors, and ensures Iowa seniors can access the care they need, without delay, without denial, and without interference from bureaucratic red tape.”

“Medicare is a promise to America’s seniors that they will have dependable access to quality healthcare in their later years. However, that promise has been undermined by unnecessary barriers to care—particularly through excessive use of prior authorization and inappropriate coverage denials in Medicare Advantage,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. “As a physician, I have seen firsthand how these delays harm patients and take valuable time away from the doctor-patient relationship. The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act will restore accountability, reduce unnecessary barriers, and ensure that seniors receive timely, high-quality care.”

Background

Medicare Advantage has grown rapidly in recent years, now serving millions of seniors across the country. While the program was designed to provide high-quality, coordinated care, increasing concerns have emerged over prior authorization delays, inconsistent coverage decisions, and administrative barriers that can interfere with timely treatment.

The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 directly addresses these challenges by implementing targeted, commonsense reforms to protect patients and improve program integrity. The legislation would:

• Strengthen oversight and accountability for Medicare Advantage plans that fail to meet compliance standards
• Increase transparency and streamline prior authorization processes to reduce delays in care
• Align coverage criteria with traditional Medicare to ensure consistency for patients and providers
• Reduce administrative burdens through real-time, automated systems that improve efficiency
• Expand access to post-acute care providers, ensuring seniors can receive the care they need without unnecessary barriers

These reforms are designed to refocus Medicare Advantage on its original mission, delivering high-quality care while putting patients, not bureaucracies, first.

As a physician and member of Congress, Dr. Miller-Meeks has been a leading voice in efforts to improve healthcare access, reduce costs, and eliminate inefficiencies that stand between patients and care. This bipartisan legislation reflects a continued commitment to protecting seniors and ensuring federal healthcare programs operate with transparency and accountability.

Co-leading this bill alongside Dr. Miller-Meeks are Representatives: John Joyce (PA-13), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Ami Bera (CA-06), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), and Kim Schrier (WA-08).

To read the bill text click HERE.

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