Representative Gary Palmer Reintroduces Retirement Freedom Act to Expand Seniors’ Healthcare Choices

U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL6) has reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act. The legislation aims to give senior citizens more control over their healthcare options.

Originally brought forward during the 118th Congress, the bill seeks to decouple Medicare Part A from Social Security benefits, allowing seniors to opt out of Medicare without forfeiting their Social Security payments. Palmer reintroduced the measure in response to recent policy changes under the Biden administration, which reversed a Trump-era executive order that had loosened the connection between the two programs.

“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 Rep. 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’s reintroduction comes amid ongoing debate over the role of government in personal healthcare decisions. Under the current rules, individuals who qualify for Social Security are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. Those who attempt to decline Medicare coverage risk losing access to their Social Security benefits—a link supporters of the bill argue is coercive and unconstitutional.

Critics say the current system limits seniors’ freedom by denying them the ability to keep private insurance plans they may prefer over government-funded healthcare. The Retirement Freedom Act would remove this requirement, giving seniors the ability to retain private coverage while still collecting Social Security.

Palmer’s bill is consistent with broader Republican efforts to reduce federal mandates, increase personal choice and support market-driven healthcare.