House Committee Advances Bill to Extend Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Deadline

On July 18, 2026, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced H.R. 8658, known as the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Kennedy, the bill aims to extend the Purchased/Referred Care notification deadline for some American Indian and Alaska Native patients from 72 hours to 15 days, seeking to reduce unexpected medical bills and provide families more time after medical emergencies.