To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9108
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T15:59:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9108
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends the Social Security Act to modify eligibility rules for the rural emergency hospital (REH) designation under the Medicare program, expanding the timeframe during which a facility must have operated as a hospital.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Amends Section 1861(kkk)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(kkk)(3)).
- Replaces the requirement that a facility be a hospital "as of" a specific date with eligibility if it was a hospital at any point during the period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending on a specified later date.
- Adds language clarifying that a change in the facility's national provider identification number due to ownership changes does not affect eligibility under this subsection.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Broadens the historical qualification window from a single point in time to a multi-year period starting in 2015.
- Introduces explicit protection for facilities undergoing ownership transfers, ensuring NPI changes do not disqualify them from REH status.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Affects the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by potentially increasing the number of facilities eligible for REH designation and associated Medicare payments.
- May benefit rural communities by allowing more facilities to maintain emergency services through adjusted Medicare rules.
- No direct effects on international relations are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural hospitals and former hospitals seeking REH designation.
- Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas who rely on emergency care access.
- CMS and other federal agencies administering the Medicare program.
- Hospital owners or operators considering ownership changes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Represents a targeted statutory update to Medicare eligibility criteria without altering broader constitutional frameworks.
- Focuses on administrative flexibility in program rules rather than creating new rights or obligations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program. — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (2 pages)