H.R. 1931 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025
Cosponsors: 16 (10 D, 6 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-12
Introduced: 2025-03-06
Latest action (2025-03-06): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What H.R. 1931 does, in plain terms
Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish, upon request, specific payment methodologies for qualifying pediatric technologies under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Qualifying pediatric technologies are medical devices that are (1) covered under Medicare, (2) approved by the Food and Drug Administration, (3) currently billed using a specified temporary billing code for emerging technologies, and (4) predominantly used or specifically designated for pediatric patients. The CMS must develop a payment methodology for a qualifying pediatric technology upon request from the manufacturer and based on available data, including pricing information and claims data. Manufacturers must include relevant information in their requests to enable the CMS to develop the corresponding methodologies.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Minor constitutional concerns
Graded 2026-10-11
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
The bill operates within Congress's enumerated powers under the Spending Clause and Commerce Clause, and it does not infringe on individual rights. However, it centralizes decision-making at the federal level for pediatric technology payment, which could be handled more locally or by states, creating minor federalism tension.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress has authority under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (Spending Clause) to provide for the general welfare and under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause) to regulate interstate commerce. Medicare is a federal spending program, and establishing payment methodologies for medical devices falls within the scope of administering that program. The bill does not exceed these enumerated … -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
The bill does not implicate any of the first ten amendments. It does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, takings, fair trial, jury, cruel and unusual punishment, or unenumerated rights. It merely directs CMS to develop payment methodologies for certain medical devices. -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The bill does not restrict individual liberty. It imposes no mandates on individuals or families; rather, it facilitates access to pediatric technologies by requiring CMS to establish payment methodologies upon request. The burden of compliance falls on manufacturers who voluntarily seek payment methodologies, not on individuals. -
✗ Concern · Decentralization
The bill fails the decentralization test because it consolidates decision-making at the federal level for payment methodologies that could arguably be handled by states or private insurers. However, Medicare is a federal program, so federal involvement is necessary for Medicare payment. The bill does not directly violate the Tenth Amendment, but it centralizes authority in CMS rather than allowing… -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
The bill does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process. It does not involve takings of private property. Manufacturers are not required to participate; they may request a payment methodology, and CMS must base its methodology on available data. There is no arbitrary government action; the process is defined and data-driven.
Sources: Congress.gov: HR 1931 summary
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