PACE Access Improvement Act Introduced in House

On September 24, 2026, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced legislation to reduce both administrative and growth barriers for PACE programs. The bill would eliminate the first-of-the month enrollment limitation for new and re-enrollments, along with streamlining the application and expansion process with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Additionally, the bill would require states to offer PACE and allow programs to conduct limited marketing of their services prior to final CMS approval, creating opportunity to build awareness about programs prior to opening. LeadingAge supports this bill and worked with the National PACE Association in advance of its introduction.

While PACE is a bipartisan issue and well supported model, passage prior to the end of the year is unlikely. A sponsor has been identified in the Senate for introduction of a companion bill later this year. We will continue to advocate for passage of this bill, and others that reduce regulatory and administrative burden on PACE programs. Statements from Representatives Dingell and Moolenaar are available here, with text of the bill available here.