Contact Congress about S. 1399: Health Tech Investment Act

Medicare would create special payment rules for some AI and software tools used in hospital outpatient care. Hospitals could get payments tied to the reported cost of the tool for at least five years.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Health Tech Investment Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Latest action on S. 1399: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects hospitals, Medicare patients, and companies that make AI or software-based medical tools. Hospitals could get clearer payment for using these tools in outpatient care. Medicare patients could see wider access if hospitals decide the payment makes the tools worth offering. Tool makers could get a more stable path for selling products into the Medicare market.

Why this matters: Medicare payment can shape which new health tools hospitals choose to use. This bill could make it easier for hospitals to offer some AI and software tools to Medicare patients. It could also help companies plan around clearer payment rules. At the same time, payment based on company-reported costs could affect Medicare spending. The bill does not show whether the tools will improve patient results enough to match those costs.

Key provisions in S. 1399

• The bill applies to some algorithm-based health services used in hospital outpatient care. This starts on January 1, 2026, for services Medicare covers in those settings.
• Qualifying services must go into a special Medicare payment group for new outpatient technology. Medicare must pay based on costs reported by the maker, including price, subscriptions, staff time, and overhead.
• The Health and Human Services Secretary cannot move these services out of that new technology payment group right away. Medicare must first have enough claims data and at least five years of payment history.
• The Secretary must change the application process and rules for the new technology payment group. This is meant to let add-on or same-time algorithm-based services qualify when they need extra resources.
• An algorithm-based healthcare service must use a device cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The device must use AI, machine learning, or similar software to give clinical results that a clinician uses.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1399

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 1399

What is S. 1399?

Medicare would create special payment rules for some AI and software tools used in hospital outpatient care. Hospitals could get payments tied to the reported cost of the tool for at least five years.

How do I support or oppose S. 1399?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 1399?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 1399 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.