Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The bill raises Medicare reimbursement rates for services furnished by critical access hospitals (CAHs) located in a noncontiguous State. For inpatient, outpatient, ambulance, and certain skilled nursing facility services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, the reimbursement factor for CAHs in noncontiguous States is increased from 101 percent to 105 percent of applicable reasonable costs.
Liberals stress equity and access for remote populations.
Narrow, bipartisan-appealing rural health change but increases Medicare spending; requires House committee and floor support.
The bill raises Medicare reimbursement rates for services furnished by critical access hospitals (CAHs) located in a noncontiguous State.
For inpatient, outpatient, ambulance, and certain skilled nursing facility services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, the reimbursement factor for CAHs in noncontiguous States is increased from 101 percent to 105 percent of applicable reasonable costs.
The change applies specifically to CAHs located in a noncontiguous State and to entities owned and operated by such CAHs where noted.
Narrow, noncontroversial policy that increases federal Medicare spending; passage aided by bipartisan rural support but hindered by fiscal concerns and competing priorities.
How solid the drafting looks.
Liberals stress equity and access for remote populations.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Liberals stress equity and access for remote populations.
Likely supportive because the bill directs more federal Medicare resources to remote rural hospitals, improving access for underserved populations.
Would view this as a targeted equity measure for states like Alaska and Hawaii with high delivery costs.
Might press for expansion to territories and for complementary workforce and public-health investments.
Generally favorable as a narrowly targeted adjustment to support remote hospitals, but cautious about fiscal effects.
Would seek CBO scoring, clear budgetary offsets or a sunset provision, and evidence this improves access cost-effectively.
Likely to favor bipartisan, limited measures with accountability.
Mixed support: favorable to protecting rural hospitals in noncontiguous States, but reluctant about increased federal spending and potential preferential treatment.
Prefers limiting federal interventions, requiring offsets, performance measures, or temporary status.
May argue state or local solutions are preferable where possible.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow, noncontroversial policy that increases federal Medicare spending; passage aided by bipartisan rural support but hindered by fiscal concerns and competing priorities.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals stress equity and access for remote populations.
Narrow, noncontroversial policy that increases federal Medicare spending; passage aided by bipartisan rural support but hindered by fiscal…
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