House Approves Schneider Bill to Prevent Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties

Statement

Today, the House of Representatives voted for Rep. Brad Schneider's bill to simplify complex Medicare enrollment rules and prevent late enrollment penalties for seniors.

H.R. 2477, the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act would eliminate needless gaps in health care coverage and help prevent lifetime late-enrollment penalties. Today, almost 760,000 Americans are paying these penalties, increasing their Medicare Part B premiums by an average of 28 percent.

The bill, co-led by Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Jackie Walorski (R-IN), passed the House in an unanimous voice vote Tuesday night.

"Our Medicare system exists to ensure our seniors have access to quality, affordable health care, but for too many older Americans the enrollment process can be a source of stress, confusion, and even lifelong penalties," said Brad Schneider. "The BENES Act makes commonsense updates to improve education, fix the fragmented enrollment periods, and make sure fewer seniors fall through the cracks. In the middle of this stifling pandemic, the BENES Act is proof that Republicans and Democrats can come together to help more older Americans get the quality health care they deserve."

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