Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9851 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9851 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of services to provide patients access to clergy. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2026 Mr. Flood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of services to provide patients access to clergy. 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 ``Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026'' or the ``PASTOR Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. REQUIRING PROVIDERS OF SERVICES TO PROVIDE PATIENTS ACCESS TO CLERGY. Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (X), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period and inserting ``, and''; and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph: ``(Z) beginning January 1, 2028, upon request of an individual receiving items and services from such provider and notwithstanding any waiver under section 1135, to allow a member of clergy designated by such individual access to such individual, provided that such clergy member adheres to such safety measures and other protocols as may be specified by the Secretary (in consultation with providers of services, States, and religious or