MAP for Care Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Dec 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The MAP for Care Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a voluntary "Advance Directive Certification Program" within Medicare, to be implemented within five years of enactment. Under the program, Medicare would encourage beneficiaries to adopt electronically stored, state-law-compliant advance directives (such as living wills or health care power-of-attorney documents) through vendors and organizations accredited by HHS. The bill sets out accreditation criteria for these vendors covering enrollment procedures, privacy and security safeguards consistent with HIPAA, quality reviews, beneficiary surveys, and special access procedures for disputes over a patient's care. HHS would also maintain a website listing state-specific statutory advance directive forms and vetted "alternative" forms, along with educational materials.
The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries (those enrolled in Parts A, B, or C), who could voluntarily register, update, or cancel an advance directive at any time; it does not require anyone to create one, and it explicitly does not override existing state advance directive laws. It also affects advance directive vendors and accrediting bodies, who would need to meet federal certification standards, and Medicare enrollment processes, which would eventually include links to advance directive resources.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 15, 2025, by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), with Sen. Chris Coons as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As a newly introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in the Senate and House, and the President's signature before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
15 Dec 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 3473 do?
- The MAP for Care Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a voluntary "Advance Directive Certification Program" within Medicare, to be implemented within five years of enactment. Under the program, Medicare would encourage beneficiaries to adopt electronically stored, state-law-compliant advance directives (such as living wills or health care power-of-attorney documents) through vendors and organizations accredited by HHS. The bill sets out accreditation criteria for these vendors covering enrollment procedures, privacy and security safeguards consistent with HIPAA, quality reviews, beneficiary surveys, and special access procedures for disputes over a patient's care. HHS would also maintain a website listing state-specific statutory advance directive forms and vetted "alternative" forms, along with educational materials. The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries (those enrolled in Parts A, B, or C), who could voluntarily register, update, or cancel an advance directive at any time; it does not require anyone to create one, and it explicitly does not override existing state advance directive laws. It also affects advance directive vendors and accrediting bodies, who would need to meet federal certification standards, and Medicare enrollment processes, which would eventually include links to advance directive resources. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 15, 2025, by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), with Sen. Chris Coons as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As a newly introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in the Senate and House, and the President's signature before becoming law.
- Has S. 3473 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3473. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3473?
- S. 3473 was sponsored by Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3473?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (15 Dec 2025).
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