H.R. 1191: Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025
This bill, titled the Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025, aims to modify certain regulations regarding rural hospitals in the United States. Specifically, it seeks to amend the Social Security Act to change how critical access hospitals (CAHs) are designated.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Waiving Distance Requirements: The bill proposes to waive specific distance requirements that currently must be met for certain hospitals to obtain designation as critical access hospitals. This is particularly intended for hospitals that serve rural communities.
- Eligibility Window: The changes will allow hospitals that meet the criteria during a specific one-year period, starting six months after the bill becomes law, to qualify as rural community hospitals. These hospitals must have participated in a designated demonstration program to be eligible.
- Conforming Changes to Definitions: To align with the new provisions, adjustments will also be made to the existing definitions and criteria in related legislation, ensuring consistency in how hospitals are classified and recognized under Medicare regulations.
Impact on Rural Hospitals
The main goal of this legislation is to enhance access to healthcare for rural populations by allowing more hospitals to be classified as critical access hospitals. CAH status provides various benefits, including enhanced Medicare reimbursement rates, which can improve the financial sustainability of rural hospitals and help them continue to offer essential services to their communities.
Relevant Companies
- HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) - As a major operator of health facilities, HCA could see an impact on its rural hospitals which may aim to reclassify under this new designation for better reimbursement rates.
- UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) - This company, as a large health insurer, could be directly affected by changes in how rural hospitals are reimbursed and how they operate under new classifications.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Feb. 11, 2025 | Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. |
Corporate Lobbying
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