H.R. 4258: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of critical access hospital under the Medicare program to include certain hospitals on Indian reservations.

This bill proposes to amend the Social Security Act to change how certain hospitals on Indian reservations are classified under the Medicare program. Specifically, it aims to expand the definition of "critical access hospital." Here are the key points of the bill:

1. Definition Expansion

The amendment will allow states to designate additional hospitals as critical access hospitals under Medicare if they meet specific criteria:

• The hospital must be located on an Indian reservation, as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
• The hospital must be situated over 35 miles away from another hospital or medical facility, or over 15 miles in areas with challenging terrain or limited road access.

2. Distinct Parts for Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Units

Additionally, the bill allows these designated hospitals to create distinct parts for psychiatric and rehabilitation units. This means they can have specialized care units without being restricted by the usual limitations on the number of beds they can have.

3. Implementation Date

This change would take effect on August 1, 2025, enabling state authorities to start designating eligible facilities as critical access hospitals from that date.

4. Purpose

The underlying goal of this bill is to improve healthcare access and services for individuals living on Indian reservations by providing these hospitals with the critical access designation, which can lead to increased funding and resources.

Relevant Companies

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