H.R. 4277: Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act

This bill, known as the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, aims to amend Medicaid regulations specifically regarding rural emergency hospitals. The primary purpose of the bill is to ensure that these hospitals are recognized as outpatient hospitals within the Medicaid payment framework. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Amendment to Medicaid Statute

The bill proposes an amendment to the Social Security Act, specifically Section 1905(a), which deals with Medicaid services. The amendment includes the following changes:

• It explicitly states that rural emergency hospital services will be treated as part of outpatient hospital services, as long as these services are available.

Nursing Facility Amendment

In addition to outpatient services, the bill also amends another section of the Medicaid statute. It makes provisions for:

• Including services provided in a nursing facility that is a distinct part unit of a rural emergency hospital.

Effective Date

The changes outlined in this bill will take effect on the date the bill is enacted and will apply to all services provided from that date onward.

Rulemaking

The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue final regulations to implement the amendments within 12 months after the enactment of the bill.

Summary

Overall, the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act seeks to clarify the treatment of rural emergency hospitals under Medicaid, enhancing their financial stability by ensuring they are compensated for the outpatient services they provide. This clarification aims to support the healthcare infrastructure in rural areas where these hospitals operate.

Relevant Companies

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