The Chris Larkin ALS Act Becomes Law, Expanding Access to Medigap Coverage for Texans with ALS and End Stage Renal Disease

Passage of the ALS Association-led bill marks a milestone in the fight to alleviate crushing costs incurred by ALS patients and their families

AUSTIN, Texas, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The ALS Association applauds the passing of House Bill 2516 (The Chris Larkin ALS Act) into law. This marks a major victory for Texans living with ALS. Named in honor of Chris Larkin, an ALS advocate living with the disease, the legislation expands access to affordable Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) for people under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease.

The ALS Association led the advocacy effort behind The Chris Larkin Act, working alongside legislative champion Rep. Ryan Guillen and advocates across the state to push for this life-changing protection.

"People living with ALS face overwhelming out-of-pocket costs, often exceeding $250,000 a year," said Diana Arévalo, managing director of advocacy at the ALS Association. "This law offers relief, security, and dignity. It helps ensures that a devastating diagnosis doesn't also mean financial ruin."

A Law Named After Houston Man Living With ALS

Chris Larkin, former tight-end Texas A&M Football player and a Senior Account Executive for Plaza Home Mortgage, was diagnosed with ALS in 2022. Since then, he and his wife Cissy Larkin have become tireless advocates for the ALS community, testifying at the Texas Capitol, raising awareness, and urging lawmakers to act. Naming the bill in Mr. Larkin's honor is a tribute to that advocacy.

"I'm incredibly humbled to see this bill become law," said Chris Larkin. "It means a great deal to our family and to so many Texans who now have a better chance to afford the care they need."

What the Chris Larkin Act Will Do

• Expands access to Medigap coverage for Texans under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to a disability, including ALS or ESRD (end-stage renal disease).
• Protects families from the financial burden of uncovered Medicare costs by allowing them to buy Medigap plans at a fair price.
• Puts Texas in line with 36 other states that offer similar protections, and among only 17 that require affordability.
• Imposes no cost on the state and may reduce Medicaid dependency by helping people manage their care earlier and more affordably.
• Supports thousands of veterans in Texas, who are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS. More than 1.3 million veterans live in the state, and many stand to benefit from expanded Medigap access.

"This is about more than insurance," said Arévalo. "It's about quality of life and peace of mind for families who already face enough."

The ALS Association would like to thank Rep. Ryan Guillen for his leadership in moving this legislation forward. We also thank the many individuals and families living with ALS in Texas whose advocacy efforts made this possible.

To learn more about ALS advocacy efforts and the fight to make ALS a livable disease, until we can cure it visit www.als.org.

About ALS 

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. For unknown reasons, veterans are more likely to develop ALS than the general population.

About the ALS Association

The ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research in the world. The Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at als.org.

SOURCE The ALS Association