119-HR-6111 Journalist Public Summary
A new House bill would make Medicare Advantage TV, radio, and online ads disclose how often the plan denies prior authorization requests—and how many are later reversed—so consumers can compare plans more easily; it’s sponsored by Rep. Mark Pocan with several House Democrats co-sponsoring, while potential pushback could come from insurers concerned about ad burdens; as of November 19, 2025, it has been referred to the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees for consideration.
Headline Summary
A House bill would require Medicare Advantage plan ads to disclose their prior-authorization denial rates and reversal timelines so seniors can see how often care is initially refused.
What It Does
H.R. 6111 amends Medicare law to mandate that any Medicare Advantage (MA) advertisement include clear verbal and, where possible, visual disclosures about the most recent plan year: (1) how many prior-authorization requests the plan denied; (2) how many of those denials were later reconsidered and approved; and (3) the average number of days between the initial denial and later approval. The requirement would take effect one year after enactment and applies to the latest completed plan year before the ad runs.
Who’s For It
- Sponsor: Rep. Mark Pocan (D‑WI).
- Cosponsors (all Democrats/Delegates listed at introduction): Andre Carson, Steve Cohen, Rosa DeLauro, Lloyd Doggett, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Sarah McBride, Ilhan Omar.
- Stated rationale: give beneficiaries simple, comparable facts about how often plans initially deny care and how quickly denials are overturned, helping people choose plans and discouraging misleading advertising.
Who’s Against It
- No formal opposition was recorded at introduction (November 18, 2025).
- Potential concerns: Medicare Advantage insurers and advertising stakeholders may argue the rule adds compliance costs, crowds already-tight ad formats with complex data, risks confusing viewers without full context, and could unfairly stigmatize plans with legitimate clinical review processes.
- Possible political critique: some lawmakers may frame it as additional marketing regulation rather than a direct improvement to care.
What’s Next
Introduced in the House on November 18, 2025, the bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee. Next steps typically include committee hearings and/or a markup; if reported out, it would head to a House floor vote, then to the Senate, and finally to the President if both chambers pass it.
Tone
Neutral, plain-English overview aimed at non-experts.
Discussion