Stop the Wait Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 930

119th Congress

Stop the Wait Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 4, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Lloyd Doggett

Representative

Democratic

TX-37

Cosponsors

81

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Social Welfare

Summary

The Stop the Wait Act phases out the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 2030 and eliminates the 24-month Medicare waiting period for disabled individuals who cannot afford health insurance. Medicare eligibility would be retroactive to when disability benefits begin for those whose insurance costs exceed a specified percentage of household income.

Latest Action

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.

SponsorLloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Introduced2/4/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Stop the Wait Act of 2025

The Stop the Wait Act phases out the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 2030 and eliminates the 24-month Medicare waiting period for disabled individuals who cannot afford health insurance. Medicare eligibility would be

Community Breakdown

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The Stop the Wait Act phases out the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 2030 and eliminates the 24-month Medicare waiting period for disabled individuals who cannot afford health insurance. Medicare eligibility would be retroactive to when disability benefits begin for those whose insurance costs exceed a specified percentage of household income.

Bill Number: 930
Sponsor: Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Introduced: 2/4/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Policy Area: Social Welfare

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Stop the Wait Act of 2025
Bill Number: 930
Sponsor: Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Introduced: 2/4/2025
Summary: The Stop the Wait Act phases out the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 2030 and eliminates the 24-month Medicare waiting period for disabled individuals who cannot afford health insurance. Medicare eligibility would be retroactive to when disability benefits

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Stop the Wait Act phases out the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 2030 and eliminates the 24-month Medicare waiting period for disabled individuals who cannot afford health insurance. Medicare eligibility would be retroactive to when disability benefits begin for those whose insurance costs exceed a specified percentage of household income.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Stop the Wait Act of 2025This bill phases out the initial waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eliminates the waiting period for certain disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. The bill would gradually reduce this waiting period before eliminating it entirely in the year 2030. Further, the bill would eliminate the 24-month waiting period for certain disabled workers and other individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals under the age of 65 may generally enroll in Medicare after they have been eligible for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability for 24 months. The bill would eliminate this waiting period for individuals for whom the annual cost of certain medical insurance would exceed a specified percentage of their household income (i.e., those who cannot afford minimum essential coverage). Medicare eligibility for these individuals must be available retroactively to the first month that an individual qualified for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Phases out 5-month SSDI waiting period by 2030
Eliminates 24-month Medicare waiting period for some
Targets those who cannot afford health insurance
Retroactive Medicare eligibility for qualifying disabled
Addresses gap in coverage for newly disabled
Reduces financial hardship during disability onset

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Many disabled individuals face severe financial hardship during the five months waiting for SSDI and two years waiting for Medicare. This bill recognizes that people cannot wait to pay bills or receive healthcare. The gradual phase-out allows Social Security to adjust, while the Medicare provision specifically helps those who cannot afford private insurance during the gap. This could significantly reduce medical debt and financial devastation for newly disabled Americans.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Social Welfare

Related Subjects

Disability assistance

Health care coverage and access

Medicare

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

930, 119th Congress (2025). "Stop the Wait Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-930

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