The Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act of 2025 aims to reduce preventable amputations by establishing a national peripheral artery disease (PAD) education program and mandating cost-free PAD screening for at-risk Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
LaMonica McIver
Representative
NJ-10
The Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act of 2025 aims to reduce avoidable amputations caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD) through increased public awareness and improved access to care. The bill establishes a national PAD education program and mandates that Medicare and Medicaid cover essential screening tests for at-risk beneficiaries with no out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, it directs the development of clinical quality measures and launches a pilot program to improve early detection and treatment, ultimately prioritizing limb preservation over amputation.
New PAD Bill Mandates Free Amputation Screenings for Millions of Americans Starting in 2026
The Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act of 2025 is a direct strike against a silent killer: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). If you aren't familiar with PAD, it’s what happens when your leg arteries get clogged up with the same junk that causes heart attacks. This bill sets up a major defense system, starting with a $6 million annual education program through the CDC to teach doctors and the public how to spot the warning signs before things get critical. For the 21 million Americans living with PAD—and specifically for Black, Native, and Hispanic communities who face significantly higher amputation rates—this is a move toward catching the problem while it’s still manageable.
A Free Check-Up for Your Arteries
Starting January 1, 2026, the bill makes PAD screening tests completely free for at-risk Medicare and Medicaid patients. This means no copays, no deductibles, and no out-of-pocket costs for noninvasive physiologic studies or arterial duplex scans. If you’re over 65, or if you’re younger but dealing with diabetes or a family history of heart issues, you qualify. Think of it like a routine oil change for your vascular system; by removing the $50 or $100 barrier of a copay, the bill aims to catch blockages before they turn into a surgical emergency. Section 3 even ensures these tests are part of the "Welcome to Medicare" physical, making it a standard part of entering the system.
Quality Control and Prevention Pilots
The legislation doesn't just pay for tests; it changes how hospitals are graded. Section 5 requires the government to develop "quality measures" for amputations, essentially keeping score on how well providers are avoiding surgery through early intervention. If a hospital has high rates of avoidable amputations, it could eventually impact their bottom line under Medicare’s merit-based payment systems. To figure out the best way to do this, the bill also launches a voluntary pilot program in hospitals and surgical centers. This program focuses on "risk modification"—helping people manage their health through better coordination and surveillance so they never end up on an operating table in the first place.