Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7118 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7118 To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify that whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with certain medical needs is covered under the Medicaid program. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 15, 2026 Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Balderson, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Carey, Ms. Houlahan, and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify that whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with certain medical needs is covered under the Medicaid program. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Genomic Answers for Children's Health Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. CLARIFYING THAT WHOLE GENOME AND WHOLE EXOME SEQUENCING FOR CHILDREN WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL NEEDS IS COVERED UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended-- (1) in subsection (r)-- (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: ``(5) Whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing (as defined in subsection (kk)), whether furnished in the inpatient or outpatient setting, if ordered by a physician or other provider acting within the provider's scope of practice under State law as a first-tier test for an individual suspected to have a genetic disorder, rare disease, or a health condition of unknown origin, including 1 or more congenital anomalies, a global developmental delay, or an in