H.R. 9851 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, Jul 22, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLets patients have clergy visit in Medicare facilities
This bill would require Medicare-participating health care providers to grant clergy members access to patients who ask for them. So if you're in a hospital or other facility that accepts Medicare, and you request a visit from a member of the clergy, the facility would have to allow it.
How it affects you
If you're a Medicare patient in a participating health care facility, you'd have the right to request a clergy visit and have it honored. This mainly affects people receiving care at hospitals and other medical facilities that participate in the Medicare program.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 22, 2026)
Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026 or the PASTOR Act of 2026
This bill requires, as a condition of Medicare participation, health care providers to allow a clergy member access to a patient upon the patient's designation and request.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 9851
A BILL
Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE-1) · Introduced Jul 22, 2026 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 22, 2026: “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.”