; and (F) in the matter following subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking subparagraph (B) of this paragraph each place it appears and inserting this paragraph . (b) Phase-Down of waiting period for disability insurance benefits For purposes of applications for disability insurance benefits filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2028, section 223(c)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 423(c)(2) ) shall be applied by making the following substitutions: (1) For applications filed in calendar year 2023, 2024, or 2025, substitute three for five and fifteenth for seventeenth each place it appears. (2) For applications filed in calendar year 2026, substitute two for five and fourteenth for seventeenth each place it appears. (3) For applications filed in calendar year 2027, substitute one for five and thirteenth for seventeenth each place it appears. (c) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2028, and apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits filed on or after January 1, 2028. (d) Conforming amendments Effective January 1, 2028: (1) Section 223(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 423(a)(1)(A) ) is amended by striking (c)(1) and inserting (c) . (2) Section 7(d)(3) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 ( 45 U.S.C. 231f(d)(3) ) is amended by striking 223(c)(1) and inserting 223(c) . 3. Medicare eligibility for certain individuals during waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (a) Elimination of waiting period for certain individuals without minimum essential coverage (1) In general Section 226 the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (j) (1) For purposes of applying this section in the case of an eligible individual described in paragraph (2), the following special rules shall apply: (A) Subsection (b)(2) shall be applied as if there were no requirement for any entitlement to benefits, or status, for