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Khanna and Jayapal united against privatized Medicare denials
The legislation seeks to let patients receive coverage without prior authorization that frequently blocks care.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Thu, 23, Apr 2026
- 05:33 EDT
- 18
Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna / Wikimedia commons
Indian-origin Democrats Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Ro Khanna jointly introduced the “Stop Deadly Denials Act,” in an attempt to allow Medicare Advantage plans to function without prior authorization for necessary medical items and services.
The legislation seeks to let patients receive fair, affordable coverage without added administrative burdens from prior authorization that frequently block care.
Medicare Advantage plans are private, all-in-one alternatives to Original Medicare, offering coverage for hospital, outpatient, and usually prescription drugs. They often provide additional benefits like dental, vision and hearing for low or zero premiums.
Endorsed by numerous health care organizations, including National Nurses United, Center for Health and Democracy and Just Care USA, among many others, the proposed “Stop Deadly Denials Act” would largely eliminate prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage unless they also exist in traditional Medicare.
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It will also block efforts to introduce similar approval systems, like WISeR, into traditional Medicare.
Additionally, if passed, the act would restrict the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and its innovation arm, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, from using AI-driven or outsourced denial systems and require a transparent public rulemaking process for any future changes.
Apart from Jayapal and Khanna, the bill is also backed by multiple Democratic Congress members, including Steve Cohen and Eleanor Holmes Norton.
“Medicare DisAdvantage makes it harder for patients to get the care they need, often leading to delays and denials of care that can be deadly. We’re now seeing the Trump administration bring this tactic to traditional Medicare as well, denying Americans care they need and that they would have received before the implementation of the WISeR model,” highlighted Jayapal while talking about her proposal.
She continued, “I’m leading the Stop Deadly Denials Act with Rep. Khanna because we must urgently ensure corporate insurers can’t deny care to those who need it. Patients, doctors and advocates have been sounding the alarm about denials of care for years: it’s time for Congress to address these serious concerns,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Khanna echoed similar sentiments and noted, “It’s time we stop allowing Medicare Advantage to profit off the Medicare name while denying critical coverage.”
He added, “Affordable, quality health care is a human right. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Rep. Jayapal and stop Medicare Advantage from using prior authorization to delay and deny medically necessary care.”
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