Bills · S 552
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 552MedicareHealth care coverage and access
CRITICAL Act
INTRO FEB 12· LAST ACTION FEB 12
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses the unique financial challenges faced by essential rural hospitals in isolated areas, specifically those in states not connected to the continental U.S. These hospitals often struggle with higher operating costs due to their location, including expenses for transporting supplies and recruiting medical staff. If these Critical Access Hospitals face financial strain, they might be forced to cut services or even close, leaving residents in their communities without local access to critical care.
If this bill becomes law, it could provide a much-needed financial boost to help these hospitals stay solvent, maintain services, and continue to serve their communities. If it doesn't pass, these hospitals might continue to struggle financially, potentially leading to reduced healthcare access for people in remote, noncontiguous regions, which could impact health outcomes and quality of life for residents there. It highlights a recurring issue in healthcare policy regarding how best to support rural and isolated healthcare providers.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Increases Medicare reimbursement for inpatient Critical Access Hospital services in noncontiguous states from 101% to 105% of reasonable costs.
This provision provides a direct financial boost for the core inpatient services of these hospitals, improving their ability to cover operating expenses.
PROVISION 02
Increases Medicare reimbursement for outpatient Critical Access Hospital services in noncontiguous states from 101% to 105% of reasonable costs.
Many essential services are provided on an outpatient basis, so this ensures financial support for a broad range of community healthcare needs.
PROVISION 03
Increases Medicare reimbursement for ambulance services provided by Critical Access Hospitals or their owned entities in noncontiguous states from 101% to 105% of reasonable costs.
Ambulance services are critical for emergency care, especially in rural and isolated areas, and often operate at a loss.
PROVISION 04
Increases Medicare reimbursement for skilled nursing facility services provided by Critical Access Hospitals in noncontiguous states from 101% to 105% of reasonable costs.
This provision helps support long-term care options that are often integrated with Critical Access Hospitals in rural communities.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Alaska
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
72
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 12
Introduced in Senate
FEB 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 552
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 12, 2025
Last actionFeb 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2025
Senate BillS 552MedicareHealth care coverage and access
CRITICAL Act
INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
