H.R. 5895: Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act
Sponsor
Lori Trahan
Democrat · MA-3
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Oct 31, 2025
Referred to 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. for review
Why it matters
Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare-participating providers would have to meet new written informed consent and chaperone standards for adult patients.
HR5895 would add new patient-protection rules to the Medicare program by amending section 1866 of the Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1395cc. The core change is simple: beginning January 1, 2026, a provider of services that participates in Medicare would have to follow new informed consent and chaperone requirements for all adult individuals receiving medical care by or through that provider.
What does H.R. 5895 do?
Compliance starts January 1, 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, providers of services participating in Medicare must comply with new informed consent and chaperone requirements. The bill applies through an amendment to section 1866 of the Social Security Act, at 42 U.S.C. 1395cc.
Written patient-rights notice for all adults
Medicare providers must maintain written policies and procedures to give written information to all adult individuals receiving care, or to their surrogates when permitted by State law. That written notice must cover the patient’s right to be informed of health status, be involved in care planning, provide informed consent before an item or service is furnished, and request a chaperone during a sensitive procedure.
Informed consent defined by risks, benefits, alternatives
The bill specifically defines informed consent as the individual understanding the risks, benefits, and alternatives of an item or service furnished by or through a provider of services. That definition gives providers a concrete standard they must meet before furnishing care.
Sensitive procedures include genital, breast, rectal exams
A sensitive procedure is defined to include any physical examination, surgery, or other procedure involving the individual’s genitalia, breasts, perianal region, or rectum. It also includes any other physical examination, surgery, or procedure that the individual considers to be sensitive, making the definition broader than a fixed anatomical list.
Chaperones must be trained staff witnesses
A chaperone must be an appropriate staff member, as determined by the provider, who is trained and educated under the bill and present during a sensitive procedure. The chaperone’s statutory duties are to act as a witness to the procedure, help provide a comfortable and safe environment consistent with the generally accepted standard of care, and report sexual abuse as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2242 to an appropriate supervisor designated by the provider.
Mandatory staff training on 3 core topics
Providers must educate and train appropriate staff on at least 3 subjects: how to perform chaperone functions during a sensitive procedure, the definition of a sensitive procedure, and patient rights regarding informed consent. The bill leaves it to the provider to determine which staff are appropriate for this training.
Who benefits from H.R. 5895?
Adult Medicare patients
All adult individuals receiving medical care by or through a Medicare provider would gain a written explanation of 4 specific rights: to know their health status, participate in care planning, give informed consent before an item or service is furnished, and request a chaperone during a sensitive procedure.
Patients undergoing intimate exams or procedures
People receiving examinations, surgeries, or other procedures involving the genitalia, breasts, perianal region, or rectum would have an explicit right to request a trained chaperone. Patients also benefit because the bill covers any other procedure the individual personally considers sensitive.
Adult patients who use legal surrogates
When State law permits, surrogates can receive the required written information on the adult patient’s behalf. That helps patients who may not be able to manage consent discussions alone.
Patients concerned about misconduct
The bill creates a formal witness role for trained chaperones and requires those chaperones to report sexual abuse, using the definition in 18 U.S.C. 2242, to a supervisor designated by the provider.
Who is affected by H.R. 5895?
Medicare-participating providers of services
These providers would have to create and maintain written policies and procedures, distribute written patient-rights information, train staff, and meet the new requirements by January 1, 2026. Because the bill amends 42 U.S.C. 1395cc, compliance becomes part of Medicare participation rules.
Hospital and clinical staff selected as chaperones
Staff members designated by the provider as appropriate would need education and training on 3 required topics and may be assigned to attend sensitive procedures as witnesses and safety supports.
Supervisors designated by providers
These supervisors would become the internal reporting point for allegations of sexual abuse reported by chaperones under the bill’s mandatory reporting chain.
Adult patients receiving care through Medicare providers
Patients would be directly affected in consent conversations and procedure logistics, especially for sensitive procedures involving the genitalia, breasts, perianal region, rectum, or any procedure the individual considers sensitive.
H.R. 5895 Common Questions
When do the new Medicare informed consent and chaperone rules start?
Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare-participating providers must comply with the new informed consent and chaperone standards under HR5895 Section 2(1)(C).
Does HR5895 require Medicare providers to give adult patients written notice of their rights?
Yes. Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)), providers must maintain written policies to give adult patients, or permitted surrogates, written information about key care rights.
What rights must Medicare patients be told about under HR5895?
Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)), adult patients must be told their rights to know their health status, join care planning, give informed consent, and request a chaperone for a sensitive procedure.
Can a Medicare patient request a chaperone during a genital or breast exam under HR5895?
Yes. Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2) and Section 2(2)(l)(4)(C)(i)), adult patients may request a chaperone during sensitive procedures, including exams involving the genitalia or breasts.
What counts as a sensitive procedure under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act?
According to HR5895 Section 2(2)(l)(4)(C), sensitive procedures include exams, surgeries, or other procedures involving the genitalia, breasts, perianal region, or rectum, plus any procedure the patient considers sensitive.
Can a patient decide that another medical exam is sensitive even if it's not on the list?
Yes. Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)(l)(4)(C)(ii)), any exam, surgery, or procedure the individual considers sensitive is treated as a sensitive procedure.
What does informed consent mean under HR5895?
Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)(l)(4)(B)), informed consent means the individual understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the item or service.
Who can receive the written patient rights notice if the adult patient cannot?
According to HR5895 Section 2(2), the written notice may go to the patient's surrogate when permitted by State law.
What is a chaperone required to do during a sensitive procedure under HR5895?
Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)(l)(4)(A)(ii)), a trained staff chaperone must witness the procedure, help maintain a safe and comfortable environment, and report sexual abuse to a designated supervisor.
Does HR5895 require staff training on chaperones and informed consent?
Yes. Under the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act (Section 2(2)(l)(3)), providers must train appropriate staff on chaperone duties, what counts as a sensitive procedure, and patient rights regarding informed consent.
Based on H.R. 5895 bill text
HR5895 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Oct 31, 2025
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.
About the Sponsor
Lori Trahan
Democrat, Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Massachusetts, Michigan.
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
1 of 54 committee members cosponsored
Ways and Means Committee
0 of 45 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
42 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5895 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Oct 31, 2025
Referred to 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. for review
Oct 31, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, actions, sponsors, and status for the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act.
This is the Social Security Act provision on Medicare provider agreements that HR5895 would amend to add informed consent and chaperone requirements.
CMS oversees Medicare health and safety standards and provider compliance, making this central to how new participation requirements would likely be administered.
Official CMS page on federal provider participation standards that helps explain the regulatory framework HR5895 would modify.
The bill expressly references the Title 18 sexual abuse definition that chaperones would be required to report to a designated supervisor.
Official Social Security Administration compilation of the Social Security Act, useful for locating Title XVIII and the statutory Medicare framework affected by the bill.
H.R. 5895 Bill Text
“To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain standards and requirements with respect to obtaining informed consent and providing chaperones for providers of services participating in the Medicare program.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 5895 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Health Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 1, 2025
Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
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.
May 20, 2025
CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
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.
Jun 26, 2025
Right to Contraception Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 5, 2025
Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025
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.
Jan 31, 2025
Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025
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.
Jan 16, 2025
988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 17, 2025
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and 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.
May 8, 2025
Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 5, 2025
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Sep 11, 2025
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 890 East 152nd Street in Cleveland, Ohio, as the "Technical Sergeant Alma Gladys Minter Post Office Building".
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Apr 15, 2026
Love Lives On Act of 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Feb 3, 2026
Tracking Health in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.