This bill strengthens and enhances Medicare’s hospice benefit so it provides the critical care patients and their families need – like respite care for caregivers and coverage of palliative treatments like dialysis and radiation – all while protecting the program from those trying to exploit it.
Strengthen and modernize Medicare's hospice benefit to expand access to essential services and caregiver support, including home respite care and coverage for certain palliative treatments.
Occurrences
Evidence
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GovInfo records that Ms. Sánchez introduced H.R. 7966 and that it was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill title and summary state it would amend title XVIII to ensure the integrity of hospice care furnished under Medicare.
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Sánchez said the Hospice CARE Act would "strengthen and enhance Medicare's hospice benefit" by adding caregiver respite care and coverage of palliative treatments such as dialysis and radiation, while also expanding access to essential services and caregiver support.
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The Ways and Means Committee scheduled an April 21, 2026 hearing on Medicare fraud with witnesses including the president and CEO of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. The hearing record shows continued congressional attention to hospice fraud, but no enacted hospice-benefit expansion or committee advancement of the Sánchez bill in the lookback window.
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"Last Action Date Listed March 17, 2026" "Bill Version Introduced in House (IH)"
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"This final rule also includes a summary of comments received on our requests for information regarding community-based palliative care"
Assessments
Sanchez made a concrete legislative push by introducing H.R. 7966 and publicly framing it as a way to strengthen Medicare hospice care, including caregiver respite and palliative coverage. But the record provided shows no enacted hospice-benefit expansion and no committee advancement or passage, so the promised outcome was not delivered.
Sanchez materially advanced the promise by introducing H.R. 7966, the Hospice CARE Act of 2026, which directly targeted Medicare hospice benefit modernization, caregiver respite support, palliative treatments, access, and fraud safeguards. However, the evidence shows introduction and referral only, plus a related committee hearing; it does not show enactment, passage, or implemented Medicare benefit changes. Because the promised policy outcome was not delivered despite a serious federal legislative attempt in her current House term, this is best scored as never with an effort badge rather than partial delivery.