STAT+: GOP aims to change Medicare adviser’s math so it’s more favorable to health insurers

Sept. 16, 2026 John Wilkerson, a Washington correspondent, is the author of D.C. Diagnosis, a twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine. WASHINGTON — Normally, discussions about how congressional advisers study Medicare spending are quite dry. Not so at the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. In a party line vote, committee Republicans pushed forward a bill that seeks to change how the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission studies Medicare Advantage spending. In particular, this bill would direct the nonpartisan agency to study the topic of overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans in a manner that’s more favorable to insurers. Medicare Advantage insurers have come under increased scrutiny in recent years in part for their cost to taxpayers. MedPAC this year estimated that Medicare will pay 14% more per enrollee, or $76 billion in total, to Medicare Advantage plans than it would if those same seniors were covered by traditional Medicare. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe