H.R. 3263: Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act
This bill, titled the Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act (PATCH Act), aims to amend the Social Security Act to establish a minimum payment rate for medical services provided by physicians in Hawaii. Specifically, it addresses the work geographic index, which determines the relative value of physician services based on geographic location.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Work Geographic Index Adjustment: The bill mandates that for physician services rendered in Hawaii after January 1, 2026, if the calculated work geographic index is below 1.5, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must increase it to 1.5. This adjustment ensures that the compensation for physicians in Hawaii is not undervalued relative to their services compared to other regions.
- Impact on Relative Payments: The bill explicitly states that the adjustments made to the work geographic index should not be budget neutral. This means that this increase may lead to higher overall payments for services in Hawaii without requiring compensatory cuts in other areas of the budget.
- Application Date: The provisions set forth in the bill would take effect for services provided starting in 2026, giving time for necessary adjustments within the system.
Purpose of the Bill
The primary purpose of the PATCH Act is to ensure that physicians in Hawaii are adequately compensated for their services. This is particularly significant given the challenges of healthcare delivery in remote or less populated areas, where physician availability may be impacted by compensation rates.
Expected Outcomes
By establishing a floor on the work geographic index, the bill aims to attract and retain healthcare professionals in Hawaii, ultimately aiming to improve access to quality healthcare for residents. This could help address any physician shortages or disparities in healthcare access that may currently exist in the state.
Implementation Details
The implementation involves amendments to existing provisions within the Social Security Act, focusing on how physician services are valued and compensated in relation to geographic location. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with executing these changes to ensure the new guidelines are followed starting in the specified timeframe.
Relevant Companies
- HCA Healthcare (HCA) - As a large provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare may experience changes in patient volume and service reimbursement dynamics in Hawaii as a result of this bill.
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH) - This company, as a health insurance provider, could see shifts in coverage and reimbursement protocols in Hawaii influenced by the changes in payment rates for physicians.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| May. 07, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| May. 07, 2025 | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
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