H.R. 6157: First Responders’ Care Expansion Act of 2025

The bill titled the First Responders’ Care Expansion Act of 2025 proposes to amend the Social Security Act to extend Medicare benefits to first responders who are 57 years old. Here are the key components of the bill:

Eligibility for Benefits

Individuals can enroll in Medicare under this bill if they:

• Are aged 57 but younger than 65 years.
• Have worked as a first responder for at least 10 years in specific occupations identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Would otherwise be entitled to Medicare benefits except for their age.

Benefits Provided

Eligible individuals will receive benefits under Medicare Parts A, B, and D, similar to other Medicare beneficiaries. This includes:

• The ability to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Access to prescription drug coverage under Part D.
• Access to the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman for assistance with issues related to Medicare.

Enrollment Periods

Those eligible can enroll during:

• The month before they turn 57, or
• Any month they are eligible after turning 57.

Benefits will commence the first day of the month following enrollment.

Premiums

Monthly premiums for enrollment will be calculated based on standard Medicare Part B premiums and will vary for individuals who are not yet eligible for Part A due to age. The collected premiums will be deposited into a newly established trust fund specifically for first responders.

Trust Fund Creation

The bill establishes a Medicare First Responder Trust Fund, which will be used to manage the premiums collected from those enrolled under this new provision.

Impact on Current Benefits

The bill clarifies that it will not affect individuals who are already entitled to or eligible for benefits under Medicare or Medicaid in other respects.

Interaction with the Affordable Care Act

It specifies that the coverage provided under this bill qualifies as minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. It also prohibits states from transferring eligible Medicaid beneficiaries, aged 57 to 64, into Medicare based on this provision.

Medigap Policies

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is instructed to work with insurance commissioners to ensure that Medicare supplemental policies (Medigap) accept first responders who apply for coverage based on their eligibility under this act.

Relevant Companies

• UNH - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated: As a major provider of Medicare Advantage plans, UnitedHealth Group could see an increase in enrollment due to the expansion of Medicare benefits to first responders under this bill.
• CNC - Centene Corporation: This company is involved in Medicaid and Medicare services, and may experience changes in their operations and enrollment with the addition of first responders at 57 to Medicare coverage.