Equity in STI Testing Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
What this bill does
The Equity in STI Testing Act would require that screening tests for HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia—along with the administration of those tests—be covered without copayments, deductibles, or other cost-sharing across several federal health programs. This includes Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE (the military health system, including Prime and Select), the Veterans Health Administration, and health services provided to Indians through the Indian Health Service, including Urban Indian Organizations. In each case, coverage would generally be tied to whether the tests are already required to be covered without cost-sharing under existing preventive services rules for private health insurance.
The bill would affect people enrolled in these federal and federally supported health programs: Medicare Advantage enrollees, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, active-duty and retired military members and their families under TRICARE, veterans enrolled in VA health care, and Indians receiving care through the Indian Health Service. It aims to remove out-of-pocket costs as a barrier to STI testing for these populations.
Most provisions would take effect upon enactment, with certain Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA, and Indian Health Service provisions phased in over the following one to two years, and allowances for states needing new legislation to comply. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, and Natural Resources. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee consideration, House and Senate passage, and presidential signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Equity in STI Testing Act
This bill provides for coverage, without cost-sharing, of testing for certain sexually transmitted infections under Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, Department of Veterans Affairs health benefits, and the Indian Health Service.
Timeline
30 Jul 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9946 do?
- The Equity in STI Testing Act would require that screening tests for HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia—along with the administration of those tests—be covered without copayments, deductibles, or other cost-sharing across several federal health programs. This includes Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE (the military health system, including Prime and Select), the Veterans Health Administration, and health services provided to Indians through the Indian Health Service, including Urban Indian Organizations. In each case, coverage would generally be tied to whether the tests are already required to be covered without cost-sharing under existing preventive services rules for private health insurance. The bill would affect people enrolled in these federal and federally supported health programs: Medicare Advantage enrollees, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, active-duty and retired military members and their families under TRICARE, veterans enrolled in VA health care, and Indians receiving care through the Indian Health Service. It aims to remove out-of-pocket costs as a barrier to STI testing for these populations. Most provisions would take effect upon enactment, with certain Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA, and Indian Health Service provisions phased in over the following one to two years, and allowances for states needing new legislation to comply. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, and Natural Resources. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee consideration, House and Senate passage, and presidential signature to become law.
- Has H.R. 9946 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9946. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9946?
- H.R. 9946 was sponsored by Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5] (D-GA), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9946?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. (30 Jul 2026).
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More bills from Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
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