Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 3/9/2021
Actions
- 2021-03-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2021-03-08Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2021-03-08Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2021-03-08Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2021-03-08Introduced in House
- 2021-03-08Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-08 (00)
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021
This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare.
Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area.
The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency.
In addition, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation must test a new delivery and payment model for rural hospitals that promotes financially sustainable access to care and must establish a corresponding transition process for CAHs.
Cosponsors (5)
- Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
- Rodney Davis (R-IL)
- FRANK LUCAS (R-OK)
- Tom Cole (R-OK)
- David McKinley (R-WV)
Subjects
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Administrative remedies
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Health care coverage and access
- Health facilities and institutions
- Home and outpatient care
- Hospital care
- Medicare
- Rural conditions and development
- State and local government operations
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.