H.R. 7905

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7905 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7905

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician 
services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid 
beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend 
title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes 
to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 12, 2026

Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Rulli, Ms. 
Schrier, Mr. Kennedy of Utah, and Mr. Soto) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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

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A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician 
services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid 
beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend 
title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes 
to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Diabetes Foot Health Access and 
Modernization Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. RECOGNIZING DOCTORS OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE AS PHYSICIANS UNDER 
THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 1905(a)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ``section 
1861(r)(1)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 
1861(r)''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to services 
furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
(2) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.--
In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) which the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation 
in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement 
imposed by the amendment made by subsection (a), the State plan 
shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the 
requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure 
to meet these additional requirements before the first day of 
the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 
first regular session of the State legislature that begins 
after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the 
previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year 
legislative session, each year of the session is considered to 
be a separate regular session of the State legislature.

SEC. 3. CLARIFYING MEDICARE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THERAPEUTIC 
SHOES FOR PERSONS WITH DIABETES.

(a) In General.--Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x(s)(12)) is amended to read as follows:
``(12) extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded 
shoes with inserts for an individual with diabetes, if--
``(A) a physician as defined in subsection (r) of 
this section--
``(i) documents that the individual has 
peripheral neuropathy that may include altered 
foot sensation, weakness, or diminished motor 
control of the lower extremity; a history of 
pre-ulcerative calluses or other ulceration of 
the foot; foot deformity, previous lower 
extremity amputation, or poor lower extremity 
circulation;
``(ii) attests that the individual has a 
diabetes diagnosis and is under a comprehensive 
plan of care related to the individual's 
diabetic condition; and
``(iii) attests that the individual needs 
such shoes; and
``(B) the shoes are fitted and furnished by a 
physician or other qualified individual (such as a 
pedorthist or orthotist) as established by the 
Secretary;''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1877(h)(6) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395nn(h)(6)) is amended by inserting 
after subparagraph (L) the following:
``(M) Extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom 
molded shoes with inserts.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 
1, 2028.
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