Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) has reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act, a bill that would allow senior citizens to retain their private health insurance without sacrificing Social Security benefits.

Palmer originally introduced the legislation during the 118th Congress. With its reintroduction, the congressman is again pushing for what he sees as a necessary reform to restore choice and autonomy in senior healthcare.

“Under current law, seniors are unable to make healthcare decisions for themselves. This is completely unacceptable, and why I reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act,” said Palmer. “People should not be forced to give up their private insurance because their Social Security is being held hostage. Thankfully, this bill would decouple Social Security from Medicare and allow senior citizens to be empowered to take more control over their own medical decisions.”

The bill specifically targets the federal policy that links enrollment in Medicare Part A with eligibility for Social Security benefits. Currently, individuals who opt out of Medicare must also forfeit their Social Security benefits. Palmer’s bill would remove that requirement, allowing seniors to decline Medicare coverage without losing their Social Security.

The issue stems from a change under the Biden-Harris administration, which revoked a previous executive order that had effectively loosened the connection between Medicare and Social Security. The Palmer legislation seeks to reverse that policy shift.

According to Palmer, the current arrangement is “an overreach by the Social Security Administration and a serious restriction on seniors’ freedom of choice in their healthcare.”

The bill is now up for consideration in the House of Representatives.