H.R. 4204 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4204 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 26, 2025Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose their physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and chiropractors. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Patient Choice Act. 2. Free choice of therapists for Medicare beneficiaries Section 1802(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395a(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (B) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (2) in paragraph (2)(B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (B) in clause (v), by striking physicians or practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, or qualified audiologists; and (C) in the matter following clause (v), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) in the heading, by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (C) in subparagraph (B)— (i) in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (D) in subparagraph (C)— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (ii) in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (iii) in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (E) in subparagraph (D), by striking physician or practitioner each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; (4) in paragraph (5)— (A) in the heading, by striking physicians and practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking physicians and practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and (C) in subparagraph (B)— (i) in the manner preceding clause (i), by striking physicians and practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; (ii) in clause (iv), by striking physicians and practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and (iii) in clause (v), by striking physicians and practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and (5) in paragraph (6)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of; (B) in subparagraph (D)— (i) in the heading, by striking physician or practitioner and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (ii) by striking physician or practitioner each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) Therapist The term therapist means a qualified physical therapist (as such term is used in section 1861(p)), a qualified occupational therapist (as such term is used in 1861(g)), or a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in 1861(ll)(4)(A)). (F) Qualified audiologist The term qualified audiologist has the meaning given such term in section 1861(ll)(4)(B). .