Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8967
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T19:31:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation extends the rural community hospital demonstration program, a Medicare initiative that tests alternative payment methods for small rural hospitals to improve access to care in underserved areas.
Key Provisions
- Renames the bill the "Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization."
- Amends section 410A of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to replace all references to a "15-year extension period" with a "20-year extension period."
- Updates the demonstration timeline in subsection (g), including rules for hospitals joining during specific periods.
- Adds a new provision allowing rural community hospitals that began participating between December 30, 2024, and January 1, 2027, to receive similar payment adjustments during the fourth five-year segment of the extended period.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill increases the total extension of the demonstration program from 15 years to 20 years, providing additional time for participating hospitals to operate under the program's payment rules instead of standard Medicare inpatient payment systems.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would administer the program for five additional years, requiring continued evaluation and reporting.
- Citizens: Rural residents may see sustained or expanded hospital services if the demonstration improves financial stability for small facilities.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural community hospitals participating in the demonstration.
- Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas.
- The Department of Health and Human Services and CMS.
- Members of Congress representing rural districts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill makes no changes to constitutional authority or creates new legal requirements beyond extending an existing demonstration program. It follows standard legislative procedures for Medicare amendments and involves bipartisan sponsorship.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (4 pages)